Treatment For Brain Aneurysms

Treatment for brain aneurysms focuses on preventing further bleeding and repairing the damage caused by the aneurysm. Treatment is essential during the first three weeks after a haemorrhage. Treatment may include medications, sedatives, and total bed rest. Treatment may also involve open surgery or endovascular techniques.

Unruptured aneurysms

Brain aneurysms are dilations of an artery. They range from a few millimetres to 2.5 cm in diameter and can be located in any cerebral artery. They can cause varying symptoms and are often undetected. However, unruptured brain aneurysms are a severe concern for patients and neurosurgeons.

Unruptured brain aneurysms may not cause any symptoms, but if the aneurysm becomes large enough, it may press on a nerve in the brain and cause symptoms. Although an unruptured brain aneurysm is not life-threatening, a ruptured aneurysm can lead to a severe headache or other neurological symptoms.

In some cases, surgical treatment may be needed to stop bleeding from unruptured aneurysms. This may involve the insertion of an endovascular coil or a flow diverter. Both procedures carry risks, so the decision should be based on your specific situation. If you are unsure of what type of treatment is right for you, consult with your neurologist or interventional neuroradiologist.

Surgical clipping

Clipping a brain aneurysm is a standard surgical procedure. The procedure is performed on the brain to restore standard structure and reduce the risk of a life-threatening bleed. This procedure involves the use of a clip, which comes in a variety of sizes and shapes.

After an aneurysm is clipped, there is a shallow risk of regrowth. However, partially clipped aneurysms often require periodic angiograms and radiologic follow-up. In addition, patients should be aware of the risks of surgery. Bleeding and incision site infection are common complications. An improperly placed clip can also block a nearby blood vessel. This can lead to hydrocephalus and vasospasm.

Surgical clipping involves cutting the neck of the aneurysm and inserting a metal clip to prevent blood from flowing into the aneurysm. Some procedures even clamp the entire artery to prevent bleeding.

Genetics

The genetics of brain aneurysms is an essential area of research because it could help diagnose this dreaded disease before it occurs. The findings from this study are the first genome-wide search to identify common genetic variations. The researchers gathered data from several countries, including Japan, the Netherlands, and Finland. They then conducted genetic analyses at Yale University.

These findings suggest that some families are predisposed to develop brain aneurysms. The risk of developing brain aneurysms is reduced by 50% in the second generation, but it will catch up with the older generation. The study also shows that some families are more likely to develop multiple aneurysms than others. Moreover, people with a family history of brain aneurysms are at a higher risk of developing a ruptured aneurysm than others.

Smoking

Smoking increases the risk of intracranial aneurysms by almost forty-eight per cent. If you have a gene associated with the disease, your risk increases even higher. When you combine your genetics with cigarette smoking, your risk increases fivefold. To reduce your risk of an aneurysm, quit smoking.

Studies have shown that women who smoke have an elevated risk of developing brain aneurysms. This condition occurs when an artery in the brain becomes weakened and bulges, which could cause fatal bleeding. High blood pressure is also a risk factor. The risk of developing a brain aneurysm is nearly four times higher in women who smoke than nonsmokers.

Nicotine exposure is thought to promote aneurysm formation through activation of a7*-nAChR. The same effect was seen in a mouse model wherein aneurysms were induced and ruptured spontaneously.

Endovascular treatment

Endovascular treatment for brain aneurysms has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional neurosurgery. The goal of treatment is to prevent further bleeding and avoid permanent brain damage. Treatment should start immediately, ideally within three weeks after the bleeding. In most cases, patients must stay in bed and take medications to control their condition. In other cases, treatment may involve open surgery or endovascular techniques.

The procedure involves inserting a microcatheter into a blood vessel. The catheter then holds a coil that is inserted into the aneurysm. The coil is attached to the catheter with an electrical current and seals off the aneurysm. Multiple coils are sometimes used, depending on the size of the aneurysm.