Brain Aneurysms

What are brain aneurysms?

Brain aneurysms are an abnormal outpouching or ballooning of a blood vessel in the brain. These aneurysms often look like a berry at the end of a stem. 

Brain aneurysms develop because of a weakening in the wall of the blood vessel, allowing the blood to push through and balloon out. The weakened blood vessel may leak or rupture, potentially leading to a life-threatening situation. 

However, not everyone with brain aneurysms has problems. In fact, many people may not even know they have a brain aneurysm until after they undergo an evaluation for something else, such as migraines or chronic headaches.

When found, monitoring and treatment from the experts at Inland Neurosurgery Institute may prevent life-threatening situations. 

What are the symptoms of brain aneurysms?

Brain aneurysm symptoms may vary depending on whether the weakened blood vessel ruptures or leaks.

Ruptured brain aneurysms

With a ruptured brain aneurysm, people describe having the worst headache of their life. In addition to the severe head pain, a ruptured brain aneurysm may also cause nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. 

Leaking brain aneurysms

Leaking brain aneurysms may also cause severe headaches that may worsen over time. A rupture often follows the leak.

Unruptured brain aneurysms

Not everyone with a brain aneurysm experiences leaking or rupturing of the blood vessel. With an unruptured aneurysm, you may not have any symptoms. Or, you may have eye pain or vision changes if the enlarged blood vessel compresses a nerve.

If you have signs or symptoms of a ruptured or leaking brain aneurysm, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

How are brain aneurysms treated?

Treatment for brain aneurysms varies and depends on the severity of your aneurysm. If you have a ruptured or leaking brain aneurysm, you may need emergency surgery to stop the flow of blood. Dr. Young is the brain aneurysm expert at Inland Neurosurgery Institute.

Surgery may include aneurysm coiling, a minimally invasive approach that stops blood flow to the weakened blood vessel with a stent. 

Dr. Young may also perform a traditional aneurysm clipping, which requires incisions through the skull to gain access to the blood vessel feeding the aneurysm. Dr. Young then clips, or cuts off, the supply of blood to the ballooning part of the blood vessel. 

Dr. Young also performs interventional neurosurgery to prevent brain aneurysms from leaking or rupturing. He’s the only interventional neurosurgeon in the area.

To discuss treatment options for your brain aneurysm, schedule an appointment at Inland Neurosurgery Institute by calling or requesting one online today.