Intracranial Aneurysms
What is an Aneurysm? An aneurysm is a "bubble" that forms on brain blood vessels predisposing it to most commonly a rupture, termed Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. This manifests with sudden, severe headache with or without loss of consciousness. It is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Aneurysms may also present with pressure effects on adjacent brain structures or with headaches and seizures. Aneurysms most commonly affect middle-aged adults. Risk factors include female sex, smoking, high blood pressure, and family members being affected. Is there any treatment? (A) Aneurysm treated with clipping   
(B) Aneurysm treated with coiling   
Treatments available include surgical clipping and endovascular coiling. The first procedure involves performing a craniotomy and gently moving the brain to identify the "bubble" and put a clip across the base (A). In coiling (B), a craniotomy is avoided as the aneurysm is treated from a small puncture in the upper leg region with small tubes and platinum wires to fill the "bubble" from the inside. This latter procedure is faster, less invasive, and generally affords better outcomes. It is important to recognize that different aneurysms may be treated with one method or the other, and therefore the decision is best made by an experienced Neurosurgeon specializing in neurovascular diseases. Treatment before these aneurysms rupture is ideal. Screening may be recommended to family members of those patients who have had an aneurysm in the brain.
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