Brain aneurysm

Overview

Brain aneurysm also known as cerebral aneurysm, is a blood-filled bulge form or ballooning of the blood vessel in the brain. Brain aneurysms develop as a result of thinning artery walls. Because those areas of the vessels are weaker, aneurysms frequently form at forks or branches in arteries.

Brain aneurysms show no symptoms until they rupture or leak in which the bleeding at the brain is called hemorrhagic stroke, that could lead to brain damage and is life-threatening. A ruptured brain aneurysm typically develops between the brain and the delicate tissues that cover the brain; this is called subarachnoid hemorrhage.

However, there are brain aneurysms that do not rupture or create any symptoms or problems. Aneurysms are commonly found during examinations for other disorders. A variety of techniques are used as treatments for ruptured aneurysm, aim to block blood from entering into the aneurysm and to divert blood flow across the aneurysm to prevent rupture.

Symptoms

• Ruptured aneurysm: The primary sign of an aneurysm rupture is an abrupt, severe headache. The following are typical warning signs and symptoms of an aneurysm rupture in addition to a severe headache:
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Blurred vision
  • Sensitive to light
  • Stiff neck
  • Confusion
  • Seizure
  • Loss of consciousness
• Leak aneurysm: An aneurysm may occasionally leak a little amount of blood which will result in an abrupt, excruciating headache. Leaking is frequently followed by a more serious rupture.
• Unruptured aneurysm: There could be no symptoms if a brain aneurysm does not rupture. However, a larger, unruptured aneurysm could put pressure on the brain’s tissues and nerves that potentially will lead to:
  • Facial numbness of one side
  • Pain above and behind one eye
  • Dilatation of pupil
  • Vision change or double vision

Seek immediate medical attention if you are with someone who has a sudden, severe headache, loses consciousness, or has a seizure.

Cause

The causes of brain aneurysm are still unknown, or the causes of leakage or rupture, but anything that increases your blood pressure can be dangerous. Higher blood pressure makes blood push harder against blood vessel walls, which may increase the risk.

Risk factors

The likelihood of a brain aneurysm or an aneurysm rupture can increase because of artery wall weakness caused by the following:

• Age: Adults are more prone to brain aneurysms than children.
• Gender: It affects women more frequently than men.
• Family history: family member such as parents, siblings, or children that have history of brain aneurysm.
• Genetic disorder: such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, or Loeys-Dietz syndrome, are connective tissue genetic disorders.
• Other disease: have an uncommon blood vessel condition such as cerebral arteritis, fibromuscular dysplasia, or arterial dissection. Also, people suffering from polycystic kidney disease