Brain Aneurysms and Stroke

A brain aneurysm – also known as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm – is a bulge that forms inside the wall of an artery that supplies blood to the brain. The wall of the artery stretches out and becomes very thin, like an inflated balloon.

There are two types of brain aneurysms- saccular and fusiform:

• Saccular aneurysms are the most common type, and balloon into sacs or pouches in the walls of blood vessels.
• Fusiform aneurysms are an expansion of both sides of a blood vessel, producing a widening of the artery.

A brain aneurysm is a serious medical condition that can leak or rupture, causing internal bleeding in the brain – a condition called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. A ruptured aneurysm can result in a stroke, permanent brain damage or death.

A brain aneurysm that is small in size may not show any signs or symptoms. However, a large aneurysm may cause dizziness, loss of concentration, neck pain, fatigue, numbness, headaches, and blurred or double vision.

If you’re suffering from any of these neurological symptoms, you should immediately seek medical assistance.

In the video below, Dr. Ahuja explains the causes, symptoms, and treatments for a brain anuerysm:

A brain aneurysm that is small in size may not show any signs or symptoms. However, a large aneurysm may cause dizziness, loss of concentration, neck pain, fatigue, numbness, headaches, and blurred or double vision.

If you’re suffering from any of these neurological symptoms, you should immediately seek medical assistance.

Cerebral aneurysms are difficult to detect without proper medical equipment. Oftentimes they are unintentionally discovered while a patient is being evaluated for other medical conditions.

In cases where there are signs of a brain aneurysm, there are three advanced imaging techniques Dr. Ahuja can use for diagnosis: magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), computerized tomography angiography (CTA) or an angiogram:

• MRA

  An MRA is a noninvasive imaging technique that allows doctors to see the structure of the blood vessels in the brain. An MRA is very similar to an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

• CTA

  A CTA is a 3-dimensional, non-invasive imaging technique to see the structure of the blood vessels in the brain by combining CT scanning and imaging after dye is injected through an IV.

• Angiogram:

  An angiogram is an imaging technique used to see how blood flows in the arteries and veins in real time. During an angiogram, a catheter is placed through an artery in the groin area and advanced into a blood vessel in the brain. Dye is injected into the artery, which can be seen by a fluoroscope, a special X-ray machine that captures video.

Specific patient circumstances may make one of these tests more appropriate. For example, patients with pacemakers cannot have MRAs, and patients with an iodine contrast allergy may not be able to have a CTA.

Dr. Ahuja and staff perform radiological procedures at The Brain and Spine Imaging Center, our state-of-the-art imaging facility in Franklin, Wisconsin.

Brain aneurysms may also get mistaken with symptoms of a stroke. In the videos below, Dr. Ahuja explains the warning signs of having a stroke, risk factors for suffering a stroke, common causes, and treatments if you or a loved one has has a stroke: