Brain aneurysm
Find a neuro specialistA brain aneurysm — also known as a cerebral aneurysm — is a ballooning blood vessel in the brain. Sometimes, a weak spot can develop in the wall of the blood vessel. Think of it like a weak spot in a balloon. This weak spot bulges out, forming a small bubble.
Most of the time, these aneurysms don't cause any problems. But if they get bigger or burst, it can be serious. If the balloon pops, blood can leak out into the brain. Doctors often find brain aneurysms before they burst, and they can fix them to prevent any problems. But it's important to know how to spot a brain aneurysm and how to take care of them.
If you have an aneurysm and it bursts, it requires immediate medical treatment and could become life-threatening.
What is a brain aneurysm?
Brain aneurysms, characterized by the ballooning of blood vessels, often develop gradually due to various risk factors such as high blood pressure, aging, genetics or prior injury.
When a brain aneurysm experiences leakage or rupture, it results in a brain hemorrhage, also known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage. This occurrence resembles a stroke, wherein blood seeps into the space between the skull and the brain's protective layer.
Although brain aneurysms are relatively common, they typically remain asymptomatic and pose no immediate threat. In fact, most cases are incidentally detected during routine screenings for unrelated health issues.
Brain aneurysm symptoms
You may not experience any brain aneurysm symptoms until it becomes large enough to press on a nerve or it leaks or ruptures.
Signs your brain aneurysm is leaking or has burst include:
- A sudden, severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Vision problems
- Sensitivity to light
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Pain above one eye
If you notice any of these symptoms, especially a sudden, severe headache, it's essential to seek medical care right away. Brain aneurysms can be serious, but getting help fast can make a difference in how the aneurysm is treated and how well you recover.
Diagnosing a brain aneurysm will begin with your doctor giving you a physical exam and discussing your brain aneurysm symptoms. They'll ask questions about any headaches, seizures or other symptoms you've been having, as well as any risk factors you might have, such as high blood pressure or a family history of aneurysms.
They may use image tests such as a CT scan or MRI to get detailed images of your brain that may show evidence of a bulge or bleeding.
Brain aneurysm treatment options
If your doctor determines you have a brain aneurysm, they will begin treatment to prevent it from rupturing or getting larger. Treatment depends on the location of the brain aneurysm, the size and your overall health.
If you have a test or scan that shows an unruptured brain aneurysm, there are typically two options:
- Observation: In some cases, particularly if the aneurysm is small and does not cause symptoms, doctors may choose to monitor it closely through regular imaging scans. This approach is often taken when the risk of treatment outweighs the risk of an aneurysm rupture.
- Medication: Certain medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms associated with aneurysms, such as pain relievers for aneurysm headaches or medications to control blood pressure. Additionally, if an aneurysm has ruptured, medications may be administered to prevent complications such as vasospasm (narrowing of blood vessels).
If your doctor decides that repair or surgery is needed, your care team will often take one of these approaches:
- Endovascular therapy: This minimally invasive procedure involves accessing the blood vessels through a catheter inserted into an artery, typically in the groin, and guiding it to the location of the aneurysm in the brain. Once there, small coils, stents, or other devices can be inserted to block off the aneurysm and prevent blood flow into it, reducing the risk of rupture.
- Surgical clipping: In this procedure, a neurosurgeon makes an incision in the skull to access the aneurysm directly. A metal clip is then placed across the neck of the aneurysm to cut off blood flow to it, effectively sealing it off from the main blood vessel.
After treatment, especially in cases where the aneurysm has ruptured, rehabilitation may be necessary to help you regain lost function and recover from any neurological deficits caused by the aneurysm or its treatment. This could include physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy.
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