Death from rupture of intracranial aneurysm in a patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) from ruptured intracranial aneurysms of the circle of Willis is a common cause of death in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). It has a mortality rate of over 25% and an additional high risk of permanent disability. In this article, we present a 36 years old male patient with polycystic kidney disease and hypertension who died from SAH due to a ruptured saccular aneurysm of the right middle cerebral artery and complete post-mortem examination carried out in mortuary of Iranian Legal Medicine Organization. Based on literature review, we also discuss the indications, benefits and risks of screening and prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic intracranial aneurysms in patients with polycystic kidney disease.