| A cerebral aneurysm is a ballooning or bludge which forms at a weak point in one of the
arteries supplying blood to the brain. They can occur at any place in the brain and have several shapes.
Sccular aneurysms, or berry aneurysms as they somewhat resemble a berry dangling from a vine usually
occur where the large arteries of the brain branch. An aneurysm may also bludge out from one wall of the
artery which is known as a lateral aneurysm or form a widening of the entire artery know as a
fusiform aneurysm. If a cerebral aneurysm ruptures, or bursts, it can cause permanent brain
damage, disability, or death.
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When an aneurysm ruptures it creates what is known as a Subarachnoid Hemorrhageor (SAH), which is
a bleeding into the fluid filled subarachnoid spaces of the brain.
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Currently there are three type of accepted treatment for an aneurysm.
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- Monitor and Do Nothing
- Surgery
- Coiling
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Monitor and Do Nothing. There is research to suggest that if an aneurysm is discovered Before
rupturing and is small in size, 5mm or less, then in some cases the best treatment may be to just
do nothing and monitor the aneurysm to determine if it is increasing in size.
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Surgery Surgical clip ligation is considered the tried and true method of treating a
ruptured, or unruptured aneurysm. In this method a clip is placed around the base of the
aneurysm to block it off from the blood circulation.
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Coiling This is a rather new method that uses platinum coils placed in the aneurysm
through a catather to prevent bleeding. This method is less invasive than surgery and useful
for aneurysms that are unsuitable for sugicial treatment.
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Aneurysm Facts
- Most aneurysms display no symptoms untill they burst.
- Most aneurysms appear to be caused from a defect present from birth.
- Some aneurysms may be caused by brain trauma, infection, hardening of the arteries,
or abnormal rapid cell growth.
- Some aneurysms may have a genetic link and run in families.
- There is some research to link aneurysms to rare diseases of the connective tissue. These
diseases include Marfan syndrome, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, fibromuscular
dysplasia and Polycystic kidney disease.
- High Blood pressure may also cause an increased risk of aneurysm rupture.
- Certain behaviors are also thought to increase the risk of aneurysm rupture. These include
Cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and recreational drug use.
- Healthy persons with normal blood pressure and no increased risk factors also suffer ruptured aneurysms.
- Pregnancy, labor, and delivery may also increase the risk of aneurysm rupture but not all doctors
and researchers agree on this.
- It is thought that some aneurysms may bleed occasionally without rupturing. Some of the
symptoms associated with this are headache, nausea, vomiting, neck pain, black-outs, ringing in
the ears, dizziness, or seeing spots.
- When an aneurysm ruptures most victims experience a sudden, extremely severe headache. This
headache is typically described as the worst headache of the victim's life. Nausea and vomiting
may accompany the headache. The victim may also experience a loss of consciousness.
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Nothing posted here should be taken as medical advice. I am NOT a doctor, nurse,
or any other type of medical professional. If you experience any of the symptoms described here
please see a doctor.
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