What does a brain aneurysm look like?

 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 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.

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