Health A-Z

Brain aneurysm surgery, also known as aneurysm clipping or endovascular coiling, is a surgical procedure used to treat a cerebral aneurysm, which is a weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain that bulges out and fills with blood. Here's how it relates to symptoms, treatment plans, and diagnosis testing.

1. Unruptured aneurysm symptoms: Many cerebral aneurysms do not cause symptoms until they rupture. However, unruptured aneurysms may cause symptoms such as:

   • Headaches
   • Vision changes
   • Facial pain
   • Eye movement abnormalities
   • Neurological deficits

2. Ruptured aneurysm symptoms: Symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm, known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage, may include:

   • Sudden, severe headache (often described as the worst headache of one's life)
   • Nausea and vomiting
   • Stiff neck
   • Loss of consciousness
   • Seizures
   • Sensory disturbances (e.g., light sensitivity, numbness)

1. Pre-operative evaluation: Patients undergo a comprehensive pre-operative evaluation to assess the size, location, and morphology of the aneurysm, evaluate neurological function, and determine candidacy for surgical intervention.
2. Surgical procedure: There are different types of surgical techniques used to treat brain aneurysms, including:
   • Aneurysm clipping: Involves surgically opening the skull (craniotomy) to access the aneurysm and placing a metal clip at the base of the aneurysm to block blood flow and prevent rupture.
   • Endovascular coiling: A less invasive procedure performed through the blood vessels, in which a catheter is inserted into the arteries and guided to the site of the aneurysm, where detachable coils are deployed to block blood flow and promote clotting within the aneurysm.
3. Post-operative care: After surgery, patients receive post-operative care instructions and may require monitoring in the intensive care unit (ICU) for observation and management of potential complications such as bleeding, stroke, or cerebral vasospasm.

1. Imaging studies: Imaging tests such as CT scans, MRI scans, or cerebral angiography are used to visualize the brain, identify the location and size of the aneurysm, and assess its morphology and risk of rupture.
2. Cerebral angiography: Cerebral angiography is a diagnostic procedure in which contrast dye is injected into the blood vessels supplying the brain to provide detailed images of the blood vessels and identify abnormalities such as aneurysms.
3. Medical history and neurological examination: A thorough medical history and neurological examination are conducted to assess symptoms, neurological function, and risk factors for aneurysm rupture.