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Do Brain Aneurysm Show Up in CT Scan?

A brain aneurysm can show up in a CT scan only when the aneurysm so formed has ruptured and caused bleeding in the brain. Aneurysm which has not ruptured cannot be detected through CT scan.

Do Brain Aneurysm Show Up in CT Scan?

What Are The Other Methods To Diagnose Brain Aneurysm?

There are various methods to diagnose brain aneurysm include-

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)- In order to detect an aneurysm in brain, the method of MRI angiography is usually used. This allows the assessment of the arteries of the brain in details. It helps in creating very clear picture of the brain in three dimensional images.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Test- Sometimes, a CT scan fails to show proper image of a ruptured brain aneurysm. In such cases, another form of test is used in case the doctor doubts the presence of a ruptured aneurysm. In a typical cerebrospinal test, the cerebrospinal fluid is drawn from the patient’s back of the head with the help of a needle. Such test is done mostly in case of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Cerebral Angiogram- In this particular process to detect a brain aneurysm, the doctor has to pass a thin tube called catheter into the arteries of the brain through the patient’s groin. A special form of dye is passed through the catheter into the brain arteries to show up the presence of aneurysm in the brain. The images of the dye passing through the brain are taken in form of X-ray images. The doctor gets a detailed picture of the presence of brain aneurysm this way. This procedure is usually used when other procedure fails to provide proper results.

What Are The Lifestyle Changes To Bring After The Diagnosis Of Brain Aneurysm?

In case a patient is diagnosed with a brain aneurysm that has not yet ruptured, it is important to bring certain lifestyle changes in order to reduce the risk of its rupture. They include:

Smoking and Drugs: The patient should avoid smoking and stop intake of drugs. It is extremely important to quit smoking in order to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The patient may consult the doctor with respect to strategies to adopt for help quitting smoking and recreational drugs.

Diet: Another important lifestyle change to bring is to start eating a healthy and balanced diet along with workout. Any form of exercise that may help in maintaining the proper balance of the blood pressure can be practiced.

When Should The Patient Visit The Doctor In Case Of Brain Aneurysm?

In general, the patient should visit a doctor even in case of faint but potential symptom of brain aneurysm. However, if the patient experiences a sudden and severe headache, it may be a case of medical emergency. Sudden unexplained loss of consciousness or even seizure may be a sign of brain aneurysm. In such cases, the patient should be given immediate medical assistance.

What are the Symptoms Of Ruptured Brain Aneurysm?

The patient may experience a severe and sudden headache. This is the main symptom of a ruptured brain aneurysm.

  • The patient may feel nauseous.
  • The patient may have blurred vision.
  • He may complain of stiffness in neck.
  • The patient may have an episode of seizure.
  • There may be a loss of consciousness.

Conclusion

The cerebrospinal fluid test is a relatively new diagnostic method, and is often seen to be beneficial in case when CT scan does not work adequately in determining the brain aneurysm. The usual symptoms of brain aneurysm may include headache, double vision, and numbness in eye area. Experience of such symptoms should be informed to the doctor so that the treatment procedure can start before the aneurysm ruptures.

References:

  1. MRI Angiography for Aneurysm Detection: RadiologyInfo: “Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) – Brain”: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=angiomr
  2. Mayo Clinic: “Brain Aneurysm”: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/brain-aneurysm/symptoms-causes/syc-20361483
  3. Cerebrospinal Fluid Test and Diagnosis: Cleveland Clinic: “Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leak”: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15837-cerebrospinal-fluid-csf-leak
  4. Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Medical Help: WebMD: “Brain Aneurysm and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage”: https://www.webmd.com/brain/brain-aneurysm

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:August 11, 2023

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