Intracranial aneurysms in three patients with disseminated Lyme borreliosis: cause or chance association?

Abstract

METHODS Three patients with Borrelia burgdorferi infection and intracranial aneurysms are described. RESULTS All three patients had neurological symptoms. Perivascular and vasculitic lymphocytic inflammation were detected in the brain biopsy specimen of one patient. The aneurysm was located in the internal carotid arteries in two patients and in the basilar artery in one patient. The aneurysm ruptured in two patients. CONCLUSIONS Cerebral lymphocytic vasculitis and intracranial aneurysms may be associated with B burgdorferiinfection. It is suggested that inflammatory changes caused byB burgdorferi in vessel walls may be a pathogenetic mechanism for the formation of aneurysms.