What are brain aneurysms?
Also called a cerebral aneurysm, a brain aneurysm is a weak spot on an artery in your brain that bulges out and fills with blood.
Brain aneurysms can leak or burst, causing blood to spill into surrounding tissues. This is a brain hemorrhage. A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency that can lead to a stroke, brain damage, and death.
Though all brain aneurysms have the potential to rupture, many never do. An unruptured aneurysm can still cause symptoms if it presses on nerves or brain tissue.
What symptoms do brain aneurysms cause?
Brain aneurysms usually only cause symptoms when they rupture or grow large. Symptoms of an unruptured brain aneurysm that’s big enough to press on nerves and tissues include numbness, weakness, pain behind the eye, and vision changes.
A ruptured aneurysm causes an extremely intense, sudden headache that many describe as the worst headache of their life. Other symptoms include neck stiffness, difficulty speaking, vision changes, seizures, nausea and vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
A leaking brain aneurysm might only cause a sudden, severe headache. Ruptures often follow leaking aneurysms.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a sudden, extremely intense headache.
How are brain aneurysms diagnosed?
If you have symptoms of an unruptured brain aneurysm, Dr. Glickman will order several diagnostic tests:
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Cerebral angiography
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis
These tests show where the aneurysm is, how big it is, and detect whether bleeding has occurred.
How are brain aneurysms treated?
At the Center for Neurosurgery Las Vegas, Dr. Glickman treats patients with ruptured and unruptured brain aneurysms.
Treating a ruptured aneurysm often involves surgery to repair or close off the aneurysm. Dr. Glickman can surgically implant a stent called a flow diverter to direct blood flow away from an aneurysm sac so the artery can heal.
Other treatments for ruptured brain aneurysms include medications to relieve symptoms and prevent another aneurysm and rehabilitative therapy.
For unruptured aneurysms, Dr. Glickman could recommend endovascular coiling or surgical clipping to seal off the aneurysm and prevent it from bursting. In some cases, lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, eating healthy, and exercising, can sufficiently lower your risk of a ruptured brain aneurysm.
For advanced care of brain aneurysms, call the Center for Neurosurgery Las Vegas today, or book an appointment online.
