An aneurysm is a section of the bulging wall of an artery in the brain.
Such a bulge is usually formed by closure or weakening of the vessel wall, mainly as a result of atherosclerosis. It usually manifests itself between 30 and 60 years of age, slightly more often in women.
Most aneurysms are asymptomatic; non-specific symptoms include:
-headache
-dilatation of one pupil
-double vision
-deterioration of visual acuity
-drooping of one eyelid
A significant proportion of patients become aware of the presence of an aneurysm when it ruptures, accompanied by a sudden, severe headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, nausea and vomiting.
Sometimes there is a temporary loss of consciousness, hemiparesis and, in severe conditions, even coma and death. Diagnosis is based on non-invasive investigations such as magnetic resonance angiography or computed tomography angiography.
The treatment of brain aneurysms uses the classic neurosurgical method of clipping or or embolisation of the aneurysm. Both methods involve excluding the bulging vessel from the cerebral circulation.