Overview
An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge or weakening of an arterial wall. As an aneurysm enlarges it puts pressure on surrounding structures, causing headache or vision problems, and may eventually rupture. The rupturing of an aneurysm releases blood into the spaces around the brain causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a type of stroke and a life-threatening situation. Treatment options for aneurysms include observation, surgical clipping, coiling, and bypass.
What is
an aneurysm?
An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge or weakening of an arterial wall. As the bulge grows it becomes thinner and weaker. It can become so thin that the blood pressure within it can cause it to burst or leak. Most aneurysms develop from a weakness or abnormal artery wall. Aneurysms usually occur on larger blood vessels where an artery branches. Approximately 80% of aneurysms form in the front (anterior circulation) of the brain, while 20% form in the back (posterior circulation) of the brain. Types of aneurysms include (Fig. 1):
- Saccular - (most common, also called "berry") the aneurysm bulges from one side of the artery and has a distinct neck at its base.
- Fusiform - the aneurysm bulges in all directions and has no distinct neck.
- Giant - may be saccular or fusiform and measures more than 2.5 cm in diameter; the neck is often wide and may involve more than one artery.
- Traumatic - caused by a closed head injury or penetrating trauma to the brain.
Blood supply
of the brain
To understand aneurysms, it is
helpful to understand the circulatory system
of the brain (see Anatomy
of the Brain). Blood is carried to the brain
by two paired arteries, the internal carotid
arteries and the vertebral arteries (Fig. 2).
The internal carotid arteries supply the anterior
(front) areas and the vertebral arteries supply
the posterior (back) areas of the brain. After
passing through the skull, the right and left
vertebral arteries join together to form a single
basilar artery. The basilar artery and the internal
carotid arteries “communicate” with
each other in a ring at the base of the brain
called the Circle of Willis.
| Frequent
aneurysm locations |
Internal carotid artery
Middle cerebral artery
Anterior cerebral artery
Basilar artery
Vertebral basilar
Posterior communicating artery
Cavernous carotid artery |
36%
33%
15%
6%
4%
4%
2% |
What are the
symptoms?
Most aneurysms don't have symptoms
(asymptomatic) until they rupture. Ruptured
aneurysms release blood into the spaces
around the brain called a subarachnoid
hemorrhage (SAH). Unruptured aneurysms rarely
show symptoms until they grow large or press
on vital structures. Rupture usually occurs
while a person is active rather than asleep.
If you experience the symptoms of a SAH, call
911 immediately!
Symptoms of an unruptured aneurysm:
- Double vision
- Dilated pupils
- Pain above and behind the eye
- Newly unexplained headaches (rare)
Symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH):
- sudden onset of a severe headache
(described as the "worst headache of my life")
- nausea and vomiting
- stiff neck
- transient loss of vision or consciousnes
Who is affected?
Approximately 5% of the population may have or develop an aneurysm; of those, 20% have multiple aneurysms. Unruptured aneurysms are more common (2.7 million per year) than ruptured (20,000 per year) (1). However, 85% of aneurysms are not diagnosed until after they rupture. Aneurysms are usually diagnosed between ages 35 to 60 and are more common in women.
Studies have shown a strong link to family history (2). If an immediate family member has suffered an aneurysm, you are 4 times more likely to have one as well. The genetic link is not completely understood and studies are underway to determine if there is a pattern of inheritance. The most important inherited conditions associated with aneurysms include Ehlers-Danlos IV, Marfan’s syndrome, neurofibromatosis NF1, and polycystic kidney disease. For those with a strong family history, we recommend a screening test (CT or MR angiogram).
How is a
diagnosis made?
Most people find out they have an unruptured aneurysm by chance (incidental) during a scan for some other medical problem. If you are experiencing symptoms and your primary care doctor suspects an aneurysm, you may be referred to a neurosurgeon. The doctor will learn as much about your symptoms, current and previous medical problems, current medications, family history, and perform a physical exam. Diagnostic tests are used to help determine the aneurysm's location, size, type, and involvement with other structures.
Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) scan is a noninvasive X-ray to review the anatomical structures within the brain to detect blood in or around the brain. A newer technology called CT angiography involves the injection of contrast into the blood stream to view the arteries of the brain. This type of test provides the best pictures of blood vessels through angiography and soft tissues through CT (Fig. 3).
Angiogram is an invasive procedure, where a catheter is inserted into an artery and passed through the blood vessels to the brain. Once the catheter is in place, a contrast dye is injected into the bloodstream and the x-ray images are taken.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is a noninvasive test, which uses a magnetic field and radio-frequency waves to give a detailed view of the soft tissues of your brain. An MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiogram) is the same non-invasive study, except it is also an angiogram, which means it also examines the blood vessels, as well as the structures of the brain.
Should the aneurysm be treated?
Deciding how, or even if, to treat an unruptured aneurysm involves weighing the risks of rupture versus the risks of treatment. The risk of aneurysm rupture is about 1% but may be higher or lower depending on the size and location of the aneurysm; however, when a rupture occurs there is a 50% risk of death. Risk factors for rupture include smoking, high blood pressure, alcohol, genetic factors (family inherited), atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), oral contraceptives, and lifestyle (3). Other factors such as the size and location of the aneurysm, overall health of the patient, and medical history must also be considered. Generally, the larger the aneurysm, the higher risk of rupture. Also, aneurysms in the posterior circulation (basilar, vertebral and posterior communicating arteries) have a higher risk of rupture. The neurosurgeon will discuss with you all the options and recommend a treatment that is best for your individual case.
What treatments
are available?
Observation
Sometimes the best treatment may be to simply watch and reduce your risk of rupture (quit smoking, control high blood pressure). Aneurysms that are small, unruptured, and asymptomatic may be observed with imaging scans every year until the growth or symptoms necessitate surgery. Observation may be the best option for patients with other health conditions.
Surgical clipping
The most common treatment for an aneurysm is direct surgical clipping. Using general anesthesia, an opening is made in the skull, called a craniotomy. The brain is gently retracted so that the artery with the aneurysm may be located. A small clip is placed across the neck of the aneurysm to block the normal blood flow from entering the aneurysm (Fig. 4). The clip is made of titanium and remains on the artery permanently.
Artery occlusion and bypass
If surgical clipping is not possible or the artery is too damaged, the surgeon may completely block (occlude) the artery that has the aneurysm. The blood flow is detoured (bypassed) around the occluded section of ar-tery by inserting a graft (Fig. 5). The graft is a small artery, usually taken from your scalp, which is sewn into place above and below the blocked section.
A bypass graft can also be created from a different artery that is rerouted from its normal position (usually from the side of your head) passed through a hole in the skull, and sewn into place above the blocked artery. Surgeons call this procedure a Superficial Temporal Artery - Middle Cerebral Artery bypass, or STA-MCA bypass for short.
Endovascular coiling
In contrast to surgery, another form of treatment is endovascular coiling. This is performed in the angiography suites of the Radiology Department by a Neuro Interventionalist and sometimes requires general anesthesia. In a coiling procedure, a catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin and then passed through the blood vessels to the aneurysm. The doctor guides the catheter through the bloodstream while watching a fluoroscopy (a type of x-ray) monitor. Through the catheter, the aneurysm is packed with material, either platinum coils or balloons, that prevents blood flow into the aneurysm (Fig. 6). Since coiling is a relatively new procedure, follow-up angiograms are performed periodically to confirm the aneurysm is still occluded and not growing larger.
Recovery
Unruptured aneurysm patients recover from surgery or endovascular treatment much faster than those who suffer a SAH. The possibility of having a second bleed is 35% within the first 14 days after the first bleed. This is why neurosurgeons prefer to do direct surgical or endovascular treatment as soon as the aneurysm is diagnosed, so that the risk of a rebleed is lessened.
Aneurysm patients may suffer short-term and/or long-term deficits as a result of a treatment or rupture. Some of these deficits may disappear over time with healing and therapy.
Clinical
trials
Clinical trials are research studies in which new treatments - drugs, diagnostics, procedures, vaccines, and other therapies - are tested in people to see if they are safe and effective. Research is always being conducted to improve the standard of medical care and explore new drug and surgical treatments. You can find information about current clinical investigations, including their eligibility requirements, protocol, and participating locations on the web: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at clinicaltrials.gov, sponsors many trials; private industry and pharmaceutical companies also sponsor trials http://www.centerwatch.com/
Current Studies
Click here for information about clinical trials conducted by our doctors at local Cincinnati hospitals or call 1-800-325-7787 ext. 5260.
Familial Intracranial Aneurysm Study
Sources &
Links
If you have more questions, please contact the Mayfield Clinic at 800-325-7787 or 513-221-1100. Additional information is available on the web.
National Brain Aneurysm Foundation
www.brainaneurysm.com
Tri-State Brain Aneurysm Support Group
Sources
- Wiebers DO: Unruptured intracranial aneurysms – risk of rupture and risks of surgical intervention. N Engl J Med 339:1725-33, 1998.
- Leblanc R: Familial Cerebral Aneurysms. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences 24: 191-199, 1997.
- Juvela S, Porras M, Poussa K: Natural History of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Probability and Risk Factors for Aneurysm Rupture. Neurosurgical Focus 8: 2000.
Glossary
aneurysm: a bulge or weakening of an arterial wall.
coiling: a procedure to insert platinum coils into an aneurysm; performed during an angiogram.
craniotomy: surgical opening in the skull.
Ehlers-Danlos IV: a genetic disorder of the connective tissue in the intestines, arteries, uterus, and other hollow organs may be unusually weak, leading to organ or blood vessel rupture.
embolization: inserting material, coil or glue, into an aneurysm so blood can no longer flow through it.
inherited: to receive from a parent or ancestor by genetic transmission.
Marfan’s syndrome: a genetic disorder in which patients develop skeletal defects in long bones, chest abnormalities, curvature of the spine, and circulatory defects.
neurofibromatosis (NF1): a genetic disorder, also called von Recklinghausen disease, in which patients develop café-au-lait spots, freckling, and multiple soft tumors under the skin and throughout the nervous system.
polycystic kidney disease: a genetic disorder in which patients develop multiple cysts on the kidneys; associated with aneurysms of blood vessels in the brain.
subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH): bleeding in the space between the brain and skull; may cause a stroke.
vasospasm: abnormal narrowing
or tightening of arteries due to irritation
by blood in the subarachnoid space.
updated: 11.2007
reviewed by: Mario Zuccarello,
MD, Nancy McMahon, RN |
