Brain AneurysmMedical Author:
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM
Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEMDr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Medical Editor:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhDDr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Brain Aneurysm OverviewBrain aneurysms occur because of weakness in the wall of an artery in the brain that causes a small bulging or ballooning. An aneurysm by itself does not cause symptoms and may be found in up to 10% of the population. Symptoms occur when blood leaks from the artery into the subarachnoid space (the area that surrounds the brain and spinal cord that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid) or into adjacent brain tissue and causes inflammation or even brain tissue compression. Severe headache, stiff neck, and vomiting most commonly occur. Usually, there is a sentinel or "warning" headache with a small leak of blood. This is a sign that one should seek help and have his or her symptoms evaluated. The second bleed tends to be more catastrophic, causing significant brain damage. The diagnosis of brain aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage includes a high index of suspicion by the physician. A CT scan of the brain is the first test and is helpful 95% of the time. A lumbar puncture may be performed to look for bleeding if the CT scan is normal and an aneurysm has not been ruled out. Treatment for a ruptured aneurysm depends upon the patient's presentation and potential for recovery. Neurosurgery to place a clip across the aneurysm or interventional radiology to place platinum coils into the aneurysm may be appropriate options. Viewer Comments & ReviewsBrain Aneurysm - TreatmentsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:How was your brain aneurysm treated? Brain Aneurysm - Describe Your ExperienceThe eMedicineHealth physician editors asked:Please describe your experience with brain aneyursm. |
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Aneurysm
Topic Overview
What is a brain aneurysm?
A brain (cerebral) aneurysm is a bulging, weak area in the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. In most cases, a brain aneurysm causes no symptoms and goes unnoticed. In rare cases, the brain aneurysm ruptures, releasing blood into the skull and causing a stroke.
When a brain aneurysm ruptures, the result is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Depending on the severity of the hemorrhage, brain damage or death may result.
The most common location for brain aneurysms is in the network of blood vessels at the base of the brain called the circle of Willis.
What causes a brain aneurysm?
A person may inherit the tendency to form aneurysms, or aneurysms may develop because of hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and aging. Some risk factors that can lead to brain aneurysms can be controlled, and others can't. The following risk factors may increase your risk of developing a...
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Cerebral Aneurysm »
The word aneurysm comes from the Latin word aneurysma, which means dilatation.
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