Brain Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a bulging or weakened area on the wall of an artery (blood vessel) in the brain. Surgery may be required to repair the artery or aneurysm to prevent it bursting (rupture) and bleeding into the brain in the future.
- Causes: Brain aneurysms are caused by a combination of factors, which may include genetic or family factors, smoking and high blood pressure.
- Symptoms: Brain aneurysms do not usually cause symptoms until they grow and bleed, causing a subarachnoid haemorrhage. They may be discovered incidentally on scans done for other reasons. If a brain aneurysm ruptures (bleeds), symptoms can include a sudden and severe headache, neck pain, nausea and vomiting, and loss of consciousness. Aneurysm rupture is very dangerous and can be immediately fatal.
- Diagnosis: Brain aneurysms are usually diagnosed through a combination of scans, including MRI or CT scans, or a cerebral angiogram (where contrast dye is injected into an artery in the groin and x-rays are taken of the brain).
- Treatment: Treatment options for a brain aneurysm include observation with regular MRI or CT scans or repair of the aneurysm or artery. Treatment may be by open surgical clipping (placing a clip across the aneurysm to prevent bleeding) or endovascular coiling (blocking the blood flow to the aneurysm from within the aneurysm through an artery in the groin). Small aneurysms and those in older people or people with poor general health may not need treatment as the risk of bleeding is very low and the possible complications m ay outweigh the risks.
- Prognosis: The prognosis for patients with brain aneurysm is most dependent on whether the aneurysm has ruptured. Ruptured aneurysm with subarachnoid haemorrhage is serious and may cause death or neurological symptoms such as headache, changes in vision, movement or speech, seizures, and changes in mood, behaviour, or cognitive function (thinking). If the aneurysm has not ruptured the prognosis after treatment is generally good.
It is important to work closely with your healthcare team to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs and goals. The team will be able to provide you with more detailed information about your specific situation and help you understand what to expect.