Brain Aneurysm Disease

A brain aneurysm -- also called intracranial aneurysm, cerebral aneurysm and berry aneurysm -- occurs when the blood vessels in the brain swell in such a way that a balloon-like structure forms on the wall of the blood vessel. As the swelling worsens, the walls of the affected blood vessel become weaker and the chances of a blood vessel rupture increase. A ruptured aneurysm can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which can lead to severe complications such as stroke or even immediate death.

Types

• The most common aneurysm is the berry or saccular aneurysm. As the names suggests, this aneurysm looks like a berry on a tree. When the blood vessel expands in more than one direction it is called a fusifrom aneurysm. In rare cases, a blood vessel infection travels from some other part of the body to the brain. The aneurysm caused by such an infection is called a mycotic aneurysm.

Symptoms

• A majority of brain aneurysms don't rupture, but cause symptoms -- the severity of which depends on the size. The symptoms of an unruptured aneurysm are: drooping eyelid, pain at the back of the eyes, double vision, and mild paralysis of one side of face. An aneurysm might leak before it ruptures, causing abrupt and severe headaches. Ruptured aneurysms are categorized into six grades, based on their size. A grade 6 brain aneurysm causes immediate death. The symptoms of ruptured aneurysms include: severe headaches, double vision, nausea, neck stiffness, seizures, confusion and unconsciousness.

Causes

• A brain aneurysm occurs when the blood vessels in the brain become weak and thin. There are a number of factors that make a person more prone to aneurysms. The leading factor is smoking. Other factors include: a family history of brain aneurysms, high blood pressure, older age, genetic tissue disorders and head injury. Women make up a majority of those diagnosed with brain aneurysms.

Diagnosis

• Anyone suffering from vision trouble and extremely severe headaches that appear suddenly should be tested for a brain aneurysm. The tests used to diagnose brain aneurysms include: computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebral angiogram and cerebrospinal fluid test. People with a family history of brain aneurysms or hereditary disorders should be regularly screened.

Treatment

• Brain aneurysms are commonly treated by two surgical procedures: surgical clipping and endovascular coiling. Surgical clipping involves blocking the blood flow to the aneurysm by placing a clip at its base. Endovascular coiling involves placing a platinum wire coil inside the aneurysm to make the blood inside of it clot. This blocks the blood flow to the aneurysm and isolates it from the blood vessel. Medication is also available to treat the symptoms of brain aneurysms.