A cerebral aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge that develops in a blood vessel of the brain. Over time, this abnormal swelling weakens the vessel wall, increasing the risk of rupture. If the aneurysm bursts, it can cause bleeding in the brain (brain hemorrhage), which is a life-threatening medical emergency requiring immediate treatment.
Most people are not born with aneurysms. They usually develop due to weakness in the blood vessel walls. This weakness may be:
Inherited, as seen in certain conditions like collagen vascular disorders, fibromuscular dysplasia, or arteritis.
Acquired, often due to long-standing high blood pressure (hypertension) or chronic smoking, both of which damage blood vessels over time
A ruptured aneurysm typically causes a sudden and extremely severe headache, often described as the “worst headache of life” or a “thunderclap headache.”
It may also be associated with: Vomiting Loss of consciousness Weakness on one side of the body Confusion or altered awareness Any sudden severe headache should be treated as a medical emergency.
If a cerebral aneurysm is suspected, the patient must be taken immediately to the nearest emergency department. After clinical evaluation, imaging tests such as: CT Scan of the Head Brain Angiography are performed to confirm the diagnosis and identify the exact location and size of the aneurysm.
Treatment depends on the patient’s condition, as well as the size and location of the aneurysm. The two primary treatment methods are:
Coiling – A minimally invasive procedure that blocks the aneurysm from inside the blood vessel.
Clipping – A surgical procedure where a small clip is placed at the base of the aneurysm to stop blood flow into it.
The most appropriate treatment option is decided after detailed discussion with a neurosurgeon.It may also be associated with: Vomiting Loss of consciousness. Weakness on one side of the body Confusion or altered awareness Any sudden severe headache should be treated as a medical emergency.
