What Is a Cerebral Aneurysm and How Is It Treated?

What Is a Cerebral Aneurysm?

A cerebral aneurysm is caused by ballooning or bulging blood vessel in the brain. It occurs when the inner muscle layer, called the intima, of a blood vessel wall weakens. If left untreated, the blood vessel can rupture. This causes bleeding in the brain, which is a condition known as a hemorrhagic stroke. This is a critical and life-threatening event that is far more common than you might imagine.

Most aneurysms are found around the base of the brain. They can range in size from 1/8 of an inch to a full inch. These larger ones are called giant aneurysms and they are particularly risky and hard to treat. 

Cerebral aneurysms can be categorized in two ways: unruptured and ruptured. Most brain aneurysms do not rupture. Each year in the United States, more than 6.5 million people experience an unruptured cerebral aneurysm, and 30,000 experience a rupture, which translates to one every 18 minutes.

Can You Live With a Cerebral Aneurysm?

Because a high percentage of cerebral aneurysms cause no symptoms, many people live their lives without even knowing that they suffer from this condition. 

Some aneurysms are more likely to rupture than others, so if you and your healthcare provider discover that you have one, your doctor will carefully monitor the problem and plan your treatment.

What are the Signs of a Cerebral Aneurysm?

While you may not experience any symptoms of a bulging aneurysm, when the blood vessel bursts you will experience:

• A severe and sudden headache
• A stiff neck
• An eyelid that droops or sags
• Blurred or doubled vision
• Confusion and disorientation
• Light sensitivity
• Lost consciousness
• Nausea and vomiting
• A seizure

An aneurysm can cause dramatic and obvious symptoms when it bursts. Leading up to the burst, the blood vessel can begin leaking blood, which is called a sentinel bleed. This usually causes an extreme and sudden headache and is an important precursor signal, warning you that the blood vessel could give way and burst at any time.

By contrast, an unruptured cerebral aneurysm may have no symptoms at all, depending on its size. If it’s a larger unruptured aneurysm, the symptoms you may begin to notice include:

• A pupil that is dilated
• Double vision or a change in vision
• Numbness on the side of the face
• Pain located above or behind the eye

Any time you experience a severe, sudden headache, or any of the symptoms listed above, you should see your doctor. Calling for help is critical, especially if the aneurysm has ruptured.

How Do Doctors Treat a Cerebral Aneurysm?

While you may not experience any symptoms of a bulging aneurysm, when the blood vessel bursts you will experience:

• A severe and sudden headache
• A stiff neck
• An eyelid that droops or sags
• Blurred or doubled vision
• Confusion and disorientation
• Light sensitivity
• Lost consciousness
• Nausea and vomiting
• A seizure

An aneurysm can cause dramatic and obvious symptoms when it bursts. Leading up to the burst, the blood vessel can begin leaking blood, which is called a sentinel bleed. This usually causes an extreme and sudden headache and is an important precursor signal, warning you that the blood vessel could give way and burst at any time.

By contrast, an unruptured cerebral aneurysm may have no symptoms at all, depending on its size. If it’s a larger unruptured aneurysm, the symptoms you may begin to notice include:

• A pupil that is dilated
• Double vision or a change in vision
• Numbness on the side of the face
• Pain located above or behind the eye

Any time you experience a severe, sudden headache, or any of the symptoms listed above, you should see your doctor. Calling for help is critical, especially if the aneurysm has ruptured.

Can a Cerebral Aneurysm Be Prevented?

The answer to whether a cerebral aneurysm can be prevented is that it depends. There appears to be a genetic predisposition in some cases, which would argue that prevention isn’t possible. Old age can lead to a weakening of the arteries that is also, unfortunately, inevitable.

Some health disorders that occur at birth can put you more at risk for a cerebral aneurysm. For example, an abnormally narrow aorta, which is the large blood vessel just outside your heart, has been linked to the potential for a cerebral aneurysm. There are connective tissue disorders that can weaken blood vessels. Polycystic kidney disease is another correlating factor. 

While we don’t know exactly the exact mechanisms that can lead to the growth and formation of a cerebral aneurysm, there are some preventable factors that we believe contribute to your chances, including:

• Cigarette smoking 
• Complications that can occur from some types of blood infections 
• Drug abuse
• High blood pressure
• Overuse of alcohol
• Trauma or injury to the blood vessels such as during a head injury

Think of an aneurysm like an inflating balloon. As the balloon swells, the walls holding in the air thin until eventually it pops. That’s the same process for an aneurysm that bursts. If the swelling slows or stops, the blood vessel may hold. 

While you can’t always prevent a cerebral aneurysm, your goal should be to make healthy lifestyle choices that lessen your risk of having one. This could include stopping smoking and working to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure) by exercising, eating healthy foods, and possibly, going on medication.

Orlando Neurosurgery works closely with you to help you recognize and treat conditions related to your cerebral health. Our experienced neurologists are skilled in the treatment of aneurysms and other disorders affecting the brain and spine. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.