Brain Aneurysm
A bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain is
called a brain aneurysm. A brain aneurysm occurs when a weak spot in the
brain’s arterial wall bulges and fills with blood, they develop as a result of
the thinning of artery walls and are commonly seen at the branches of the
arteries which are the weakest points of the vessels.
Although aneurysms can appear anywhere within the brain,
they are most commonly found in arteries at the base of the brain.
A brain aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition
that may affect an individual at any age. If a brain aneurysm ruptures, it’s an
emergency situation that may lead to a stroke, brain damage, and even death if
not treated immediately.
A ruptured brain
aneurysm which causes bleeding inside the brain is called hemorrhagic stroke, and
the one occurring in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering
the brain is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Most brain aneurysms are often detected during tests for
other conditions and normally don't rupture or create health problems or cause
symptoms.
What does a brain aneurysm look like?
-Brain aneurysms can take several forms, most of them are
saccular, or “berry,” aneurysms. This type forms a sac outside the artery that
appears like a berry. It often appears like a berry hanging on a stem.
-A fusiform aneurysm the artery bulges all the way around
which is rare type.
-A dissecting aneurysm is caused due to a tear in one of an
artery’s several layers leading to the leaking of blood into the other layers
and balloon out or block the artery.
Causes of a brain aneurysm
The causes of brain aneurysms are unknown, but a range of
factors may increase the risk.
Risk factors
The chances of a brain aneurysm or aneurysm rupture increase
with the factors that contribute to the weakening of the artery. Brain
aneurysms are more common in adults than in children between the age of 35 and
60 years and are more common in women than in men. Low estrogen levels after
menopause may be one of the reasons for the occurrence. Some of these risk
factors are present at birth others develop over time.
Risk factors present
at birth
Selected conditions that date to birth may be related to an
elevated risk of developing a brain aneurysm these include:
• Inherited connective
tissue disorders: such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome affects the
genes that control the formation of the body’s connective tissue. that weaken
blood vessels by damaging the structure of the arteries, Autosomal dominant
polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) also an inherited condition that affects
kidney function also produces cobweb-like, fluid-filled pockets (cysts) in
brain tissue this condition raises blood pressure and weakens blood vessels in
the brain and elsewhere in the body
• Coarctation of the aorta is an abnormally narrow aorta
(the large blood vessel that delivers oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the
body)
• An abnormal connection between arteries and veins in the
brain called cerebral arteriovenous malformation (brain AVM), that interrupts
the normal flow of blood between them.
•A Family history of a brain aneurysm, increases the chances
of brain aneurysm particularly a first-degree relative, such as a parent,
brother, sister, or child
Risk factors that
develop over time these include:
• Older age
• Cigarette
smoking
• High blood
pressure (hypertension)
• Drug abuse,
particularly the use of cocaine
• Heavy alcohol
consumption
·
Some head injuries can lead to a dissecting
aneurysm and certain blood infections (mycotic aneurysm).
The development or
rupture of an aneurysm in the brain can be triggered by some events.
The rupture of an existing aneurysm triggered by
• Excessive exercise
• Coffee or soda consumption
• Straining during bowel movements
• Intense anger
• Startling
• Sexual intercourse
Symptoms of a brain aneurysm
Aneurysms are unpredictable and until they rupture aneurysms
do not show any symptoms. Large or ruptured aneurysms usually show definite
symptoms and need emergency treatment.
Depending on whether
it’s ruptured or intact symptoms and warning signs of an aneurysm vary.
Symptoms of an un-ruptured
aneurysm include:
• Mild or severe headache with pain behind or above the eye
• Blurred or double vision
• Dizziness
• Visual deficits
• Seizures
Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include: A sudden, severe headache
is the key symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. This headache is usually described
as the "worst headache"
ever experienced.
• Sudden, severe headache
• Neck stiffness
• Blurry or double vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Drooping eyelid
• Trouble speaking or a change in awareness and mental state
(confusion)
• Trouble walking or dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizure (convulsion)
• Loss of consciousness
How is a brain aneurysm diagnosed?
If you experience a sudden, severe headache or other
symptoms possibly associated with a ruptured aneurysm, one will be given a test
or series of tests to see whether you've had bleeding into the space between
your brain and surrounding tissues or inside the brain.
It is difficult to
diagnose the condition unless the aneurysm ruptures. Doctors can use certain
tests to locate aneurysms in people that have family histories of the
condition, risk factors, and inherited aneurysm-related health issues.
Diagnostic tests include:
Magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI): An MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves that create
detailed images of the brain, either 2-D slices or 3-D images. MRI angiography
can help assess the arteries in detail to detect the presence of an aneurysm.
Computerized
tomography (CT):A CT scan, a specialized X-ray exam, CT scans are better at
revealing bleeding that may already be present. In CT angiography a dye is
injected which makes it easier to observe blood flow in the brain and may
indicate the presence of an aneurysm.
Cerebrospinal fluid
test: If one has had a subarachnoid hemorrhage, there will possibly be red
blood cells in the fluid surrounding the brain and spine. A spinal tap is where
a doctor draws the fluid from the spine to detect signs of bleeding in the
brain.
A cerebral angiogram:
A more invasive test used only when other diagnostic tests do not provide
enough information for bleeding and any abnormalities within the brain
arteries. During this procedure, your doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube
(catheter) into an outsized artery — usually in your groin — and threads it
past your heart to the arteries in your brain. A dye is injected into the
catheter that travels to arteries throughout the brain A series of X-ray images
can then reveal details about the conditions of your arteries and detect an
aneurysm.
Treating brain aneurysms
Treatment for an aneurysm depends on the size, location, and
severity of the aneurysm and whether it is ruptured or is leaking.
·
Pain medication can soothe headaches and eye
pain.
·
Surgery can repair or cut off blood flow to the
aneurysm if it is accessible. Surgeries prevent further growth or a rupture.
Some surgeries include:
1.
Surgical clipping, using a metal clip in which
an aneurysm is closed
2.
Endovascular coiling is a less invasive
procedure than surgical clipping in which a catheter is inserted through an
artery to the aneurysm and blood flow is blocked, which ultimately closes off
the aneurysm
3.
Flow diverters -Newer treatments available for
brain aneurysms include flow diverters, tubular stent-like implants that work
by diverting blood flow away from an aneurysm sac. The body is stimulated to
heal once the blood flow through the aneurysm is diverted encouraging
reconstruction of the parent artery. Flow diverters are also particularly
useful in larger aneurysms that cannot be safely treated with other options.
·
lifestyle changes can help one manage aneurysms
- Quitting smoking
- Eating a balanced
diet of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, and low-fat dairy products
-Exercising
regularly, but not excessively
- Managing
high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Brain aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition
affecting individuals of all ages. If a brain aneurysm ruptures, it’s an
emergency situation that may lead to a stroke, brain damage, and even death if
not treated immediately. If you experience a sudden, severe headache or other
symptoms possibly associated brain aneurysm seek emergency medical attention,
Be alert about the warning signs and see a neurosurgeon
immediately and get the right treatment. If you are looking for the best
neurosurgeon in Bangalore look no further, Dr Venugopal S is one of the leading
neurosurgeons in Bangalore having experience over a decade of treating various
brain and spine diseases both in adults and pediatrics.
For more information about any problems related to the Brain and spine contact Dr. Venugopal S.
Or
Visit us www.neurosurgerybangalore.com
Call us on+91 9353884928
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