A brain aneurysm (cerebral aneurysm) is a weak area in an artery of the brain that fills with blood and causes an outward bulging or ballooning. While not all aneurysms will rupture, if they do, it is a potentially life-threatening condition that can result in a stroke, brain damage, or death if not treated immediately. Treatment for an unruptured brain aneurysm may be appropriate in some cases and may prevent a rupture in the future.
Brain aneurysms usually develop over a person’s lifetime but sometimes they can be caused by infection or traumatic brain injury. Only a small percentage are genetic. They are most common in people between the ages of 35-60 and more common in women. Some of the common risk factors are:
- Alcohol abuse
- Hypertension
- Older age
- Tobacco use
- Drug abuse (cocaine, methamphetamine)
- Head injury
- Congenital problems that affect the artery walls
- Certain medical conditions like polycystic kidney disease or lupus
Brain aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they rupture. Symptoms attributable to unruptured brain aneurysms are rare. However, occasionally there may be symptoms that occur beforehand due to enlargement of the aneurysm. Also, if a brain aneurysm is large enough, it may push on a nerve in the brain causing neurological symptoms, such as blurring of vision, headaches and more. The symptoms of an unruptured brain aneurysm may include:
- Headaches (rare)
- Eye pain
- Vision deficits (problems with seeing)
- Double or blurry vision
A ruptured brain aneurysm that leaks blood or ruptures most often results in a subarachnoid hemorrhage (hemorrhagic stroke). Symptoms suggestive of aneurysm rupture include:
- Sudden, severe headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of consciousness
- Stiff, painful neck
- Light hurts the eyes
- Weakness
- Paralysis
- Seizure
About 20-30 percent of patients do not survive the first hemorrhage, and if the aneurysm is not repaired in time and a second hemorrhage occurs, about 80 percent of patients die.
How is a Brain Aneurysm Diagnosed?
Most unruptured brain aneurysms are discovered incidentally during routine imaging of the brain, such as during an MRI or MRA scan. If this happens, you may be referred to a neurosurgeon who can work with you to eliminate the aneurysm before it ruptures and bleeds. If you have a family history of brain aneurysms, you are encouraged to get a screening that can detect an unruptured aneurysm. Screening may also be a good idea for those with new neurological symptoms, such as headaches or visual disturbances. After getting a complete medical history and performing a physical examination, your doctor may schedule you for one or more of these diagnostic procedures:
- Computed tomography angiography scan (also called a CTA scan)
- Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography (MRI/MRA)
- Arteriogram (cerebral angiogram)
Brain aneurysms are treated using one or more of the following methods, depending on the location and size of the aneurysm and whether it has ruptured, as well as the individual patient’s needs:
- Microsurgical clipping
- Endovascular coiling
- Flow diversion with stents
- Artery occlusion and bypass
- Observation
Early Detection and Prevention
Because people cannot really “feel” aneurysms, strokes and other vascular problems or blockages, they do not often know there’s trouble until it is too late. UofL Health offers a 30-minute vascular disease screening that is easy, painless and a way to assess your risk and start treating it. If you are 50 or older with a history of smoking, high blood pressure or cholesterol, heart disease, stroke or diabetes – or a family history of cardiovascular disease – schedule a diagnostic screening for stroke, peripheral artery disease (PAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Contact your health care provider today to discuss screening if you have more than two risk factors.