What Are the Treatments for Brain Aneurysms?

A brain aneurysm is a bulge that develops in an artery of the brain. Small aneurysms may not produce symptoms until they grow larger, rupture or leak blood. An aneurysm that presses against nerves in the brain may cause pain behind the eye, numbness on one side of the body, double vision and a drooping eyelid. When an aneurysm ruptures, it can cause a sudden, severe headache, vomiting and loss of consciousness.

Watchful Waiting

• Brain aneurysm treatments depend upon the location and size of the aneurysm. If you have a small aneurysm, your doctor may take a watchful waiting approach and monitor you for onset of symptoms. Together with your doctor, you must weigh the risk of rupture against the risk of brain surgery. Surgery to repair brain aneurysms can cause damage to the brain and other blood vessels. There is also a risk of stroke after your surgery.

Microvascular Clipping

• Microvascular clipping is one type of surgery used to treat a brain aneurysm. This surgical procedure involves removing a small portion of your skull so the doctor can place a clip on the aneurysm that will prevent it from bleeding. If the artery is damaged, the doctor may clip off the artery itself and surgically graft a small vessel to the damaged artery to reroute blood flow.

Endovascular Embolization

• Endovascular embolization, or endovascular coiling, is a treatment wherein the physician inserts a catheter into an artery in your groin and threads it through your body until it enters the aneurysm. Once there, small balloons or coils are fed through the catheter into the aneurysm. These objects block circulation and cause your blood to clot which closes off the aneurysm.

Shunts

• Shunts are used to drain excess fluid that accumulates on the brain due to a ruptured aneurysm. A shunt is a catheter inserted into your skill that attaches to an external bag that collects fluid drainage. Shunts can also be placed internally in such a way that the excess fluid drains into your abdominal cavity.

Medication

• Medications are used to treat symptoms associated with a brain aneurysm, but do not have an effect upon the aneurysm itself. These medications include calcium channel blockers, vasopressors and anti-seizure drugs. Calcium channel blockers like nimodipine, work to control blood vessel spasms and help reduce the risk of damage from limited blood flow to the brain. Vasopressor drugs raise blood pressure in an effort to help force blood through restricted vessels. Anti-seizure drugs like Dilantin are indicated when the aneurysm induces seizures.