Aneurysm of the Cerebral Arteries
Aneurysms are protrusions and bubbles that form in the arteries and aorta in the body.
A brain aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning of blood vessels in the brain. Brain aneurysms are caused by thinning of the artery wall.
When looking at the brain MRI or tomography, these protrusions or ballooning usually give the appearance of hanging fruit on the branch.
One out of every 10 people with aneurysm of the cerebral arteries develops a cerebral hemorrhage as a result of the bursting of the bubble. Very severe headache, double vision and drooping eyelids are symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage.
Although cerebral artery aneurysms are worrisome, many brain aneurysms are asymptomatic and do not cause health problems. However, if there is a family history of aneurysm, it is very important to undergo regular health check-ups and to take precautions against possible problems in the future.
Although the exact cause of aneurysms is not known, it is estimated that smoking, high blood pressure and familial factors play a role.
What Are the Symptoms of a Cerebral Artery Aneurysm?
Most cerebral artery aneurysms only cause noticeable symptoms when they rupture. This situation is worrying for patients. Because the rupture of the aneurysm leads to serious risks. Aneurysms that burst in this way are called "ruptured aneurysms" and their main symptoms are;
- Sudden and severe headache
- Nausea followed by vomiting
- Neck stiffness,
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to sunlight or other lights
- Drooping eyelids,
- It is a loss of consciousness.
If the aneurysm has not yet burst and is leaking blood, it will still cause a sudden and severe headache. The symptoms of an aneurysm that has not yet burst are not very clear. In most cases, it does not show any symptoms. However, in some cases, the aneurysm can press on brain tissues and nerves. In such cases, symptoms such as pain starting from the top of the eye and extending to the back, an enlarged pupil, difficulty seeing or double vision, and numbness of one side of the face may occur. Therefore, when a sudden and severe headache occurs, it is very important to apply to the hospital for early diagnosis and treatment.
What are the Treatment Methods for Cerebral Artery Aneurysm?
There are two different surgical methods applied for the treatment of ruptured cerebral artery aneurysm. One of them is called surgical clipping and is a method based on closure of the aneurysm. In this method, the neurosurgeon detects the aneurysm and opens part of the skull to find the vessel feeding the aneurysm. A small piece of metal is then placed at the site of the aneurysm to stop blood flow. Another treatment method is lymphovascular dressing. In this method, the aneurysm in the brain is reached by placing a catheter in the artery in the groin. Then, a soft platinum wire is pushed through the catheter with another wire and the aneurysm is wrapped from the inside of the vessel.
Thus, the aneurysm is closed from the artery. Both treatment methods carry certain risks. Since the blood flow in the brain is likely to stop for a while, it is possible to observe different situations. However, if left untreated, an aneurysm can cause more serious conditions. Surgical clips or endovascular dressing and flow diverting drugs are used for the treatment of brain aneurysms that have not yet burst. However, these treatment methods can sometimes cause more serious problems than the benefits they will provide. Because the brain is one of the most sensitive organs in the body, each treatment to be performed on the brain has the potential to harm the brain. For this reason, whether the patient is suitable for treatment is determined by the joint work of specialists such as a neurologist, neurosurgeon and neuroradiologist.
