Medical Health Care Advices

A brain aneurysm (also called an intracranial aneurysm) is a weak area and protruding (bulging) in the wall of an artery in the brain, abnormal widening or ballooning. Due to the existence of a weakened spot in the artery wall, a risk of rupture (bursting) of the aneurysm.

Generally, a cerebral aneurysm in an artery located in the front of the brain which supplies oxygen-rich blood to brain tissue. A normal artery wall consists of three layers. The aneurysm wall is thin and weak due to abnormal loss or absence of the muscular layer of the artery wall, thus leaving only two layers.

The most common type of cerebral aneurysm is called a saccular or berry aneurysm, and represents 90% of cerebral aneurysms. It looks like a “berry” with a narrow stem. You can submit more than one aneurysm once.

Two other types of cerebral aneurysms are fusiform and dissecting aneurysms. A fusiform aneurysm bulges out on all sides (circumferentially). Usually it is associated with atherosclerosis.

A dissecting aneurysm may result from a tear in the lining of the artery wall, allowing the entry of blood into the layers. This can loosen one side of the artery wall or it may block or obstruct blood flow through it. Dissecting aneurysms may occur with traumatic injury. The shape and location of the aneurysm may affect the type of treatment.

Most cerebral aneurysms (90%) are present without symptoms and has a small size (less than 10 millimeters, or with a diameter less than 4 / 10 of an inch). Smaller aneurysms may have a lower risk of rupture.

Although a cerebral aneurysm may be asymptomatic, the most common initial symptom of a cerebral saccular aneurysm is a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). SAH is bleeding into the subarachnoid space (the space between the brain and the membranes that cover). A ruptured cerebral saccular aneurysm is the most common (80%) of SAH. SAH is a medical emergency and can cause a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding).

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain ruptures and bleeds. When an artery bleeds into the brain, cells and tissues do not receive oxygen and nutrients. Moreover, the pressure in the surrounding tissues and irritation and swelling. Approximately 20% of strokes are caused by hemorrhage.

The increased risk of rupture is associated with aneurysms greater than 10 mm (diameter less than 4 / 10 of an inch), a particular location (posterior circulation in the brain) and a previous rupture of another aneurysm. The rupture of a cerebral aneurysm carries a high risk of death.