Familial intracranial aneurysms and cerebral vascular anomalies.

The author reports a family in which four members had intracranial aneurysms and one additional member was suspect. One member had multiple aneurysms that were successfully treated surgically. Elective angiography on five asymptomatic members of the family disclosed asymptomatic aneurysms in two. In addition, cerebrovascular anomalies were found in many of the family members. The parents of the family were consanguineous. High incidence of these associated anomalies and consanguinity in the parents tend to suggest the hereditary basis of the disease. Banding analysis of chromosomes in three siblings with aneurysms and three siblings without aneurysms was carried out. Elective investigation of the asymptomatic members should be considered where there are already two or more affected in a family. The indications for surgical prophylaxis on asymptomatic aneurysms in other members of the family are discussed.