The reason for the occurrence of a brain aneurysm is due to the flow of blood into the space surrounding the brain. A brain aneurysm is a situation caused because of leakage of blood due to the rupture of an artery. An aneurysm can arise in any part of the brain and causes severe damage and affects different functionalities based on its location.
It will be difficult to point out the presence of a brain aneurysm, as it does not exhibit any indications until there is a rupture. However, a few signs such as dizziness, sudden development of a headache, double vision, nausea, vomiting, and weakness can point out the existence of the illness. It is at this stage that one should visit the physician to test and find out about the presence of a brain aneurysm.
Diagnosis
Depending on the symptoms stated by the individual, the doctor will carry out MRI and CT scan to locate a brain aneurysm, the size, the shape, and the location. For the majority of the cases, doctors often choose medicines as a priority because an operation is a risky procedure. However, if patients had a rupture, then the only way to treat it is by using surgical procedures.
Can You Remove A Brain Aneurysm?
Upon detecting the presence of a brain aneurysm, it is possible to remove it by carrying out an operation. However, the neurosurgeon will consider different aspects before choosing the procedure. The reason for considering the issues is because carrying out an operation to treat a brain aneurysm is a risky procedure. It can result in permanent disability and death. Therefore, the neurologist/neurosurgeon will take into account the age of the patient, medical history, gender, and other side effects.
Based on the condition, they opt for either of the operating procedure:
Clipping: Clipping is a brain aneurysm procedure where the neurosurgeon creates a hole in the skull and inserts a tiny metal clip at the root of the location of an aneurysm. Placing the metal clip helps in preventing the rupture of the blood vessel, and thus protects the brain from severe damage.
Endovascular Repair: Endovascular repair for treating brain aneurysm is a procedure through which the neurosurgeon enters a wire through the artery to the position of an aneurysm in the brain. After this, he will pass a catheter tube consisting of metal wires. As the metal wires have reached the location of an aneurysm, the doctor removes the wire, making the metal wires to turn into a ball of coil creating a blood clot. The blood clot will act as a shield against the weak wall of the blood vessel that is about to break. It will thus prevent a rupture and protect the brain from damage.
Removing Un-ruptured Brain Aneurysm
As said earlier, if an individual is capable of pointing out the symptoms and reach out to the neurosurgeon at the right time, it is possible to remove a brain aneurysm with ease. In such cases, the doctor will consider all the perspectives and provide the required treatment using medicines. In addition to it, he/she will also concentrate on the underlying cause for the appearance of a brain aneurysm.
The reason for the occurrence of a brain aneurysm is smoking and high blood pressure. Therefore, apart from providing treatment through medicines, the doctor will also refer to therapists who will be helpful in delivering advice and steps through which patients can maintain good health and let go of smoking. The doctor will also refer to a dietician, as it is necessary to keep healthy blood pressure.
- Rinkel GJ. Natural history, epidemiology and screening of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Journal of Neuroradiology. 2008; 35(2): 99-103. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18377967/
- Molyneux AJ, Kerr RS, Birks J, et al. Risk of recurrent subarachnoid haemorrhage, death, or dependence and standardised mortality ratios after clipping or coiling of an intracranial aneurysm in the International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT): long-term follow-up. The Lancet Neurology. 2009; 8(5): 427-433. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(09)70080-8/fulltext
- Connolly ES Jr, Rabinstein AA, Carhuapoma JR, et al. Guidelines for the Management of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2012; 43(6): 1711-1737. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STR.0b013e3182587839
- Brinjikji W, Rabinstein AA, Nasr DM, et al. Better Outcomes with Treatment by Coiling Relative to Clipping of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms in the United States, 2001-2008. American Journal of Neuroradiology. 2011; 32(6): 1071-1075. https://www.ajnr.org/content/32/6/1071
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Aneurysms—management. Clinical Guideline [CG50]. 2005. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg50
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