One of the scariest things that can happen to a person is to have a brain aneurysm. However, knowing what to do and how to get treatment doesn’t have to be as frightening or as debilitating for the person who experiences it. While it is still a very serious event, with the help of a neurosurgeon, it is possible to treat the aneurysm, limit the side effects, and increase the chances of a successful recovery. The first step is always to understand the signs and symptoms of an aneurysm and then get your doctor's help immediately so that they can diagnose the condition and get you the proper care you need from the right specialist. Keep reading below to learn more.
An aneurysm of the brain is a weakness in one of the brain's blood vessels that results in the blood vessel swelling or ballooning and filling with blood. This often resembles a bulb on a plant or a berry and can have several outcomes that cause severe complications.
One of the biggest problems with an aneurysm is that it can exist and be benign unless it leaks or ruptures. While it is entirely possible to make a full recovery even after an aneurysm burst, it takes expert care and fast treatment. However, if the aneurysm can be caught before it bursts, it can be treated without nearly as many side effects or potentially be deadly.
An aneurysm is so dangerous because, whether it leaks or ruptures, it causes massive bleeding, not just in the skull but specifically around the brain. Once this happens, if it is not treated immediately, it will lead to severe and lasting consequences, namely brain damage.
There are a few ways that a neurosurgeon can treat an aneurysm based on whether it has ruptured or not. If caught early and unruptured, it is possible to prevent major damage.
There are two main ways an unruptured aneurysm can be treated: a microsurgical clipping procedure, in which the neurosurgeon attaches a titanium clip to the blood vessel containing the aneurysm so that the blood flow to the vessel is stopped until it can be deflated.
Another option is endovascular coiling, in which a coil or stent is placed in the vessel to divert blood away from it to cause the ballooning to go down so that the vessel itself can be repaired.
If the vessel ruptures, the options are much more limited, and treatment needs to be done immediately. In most cases, after a rupture, the vessel needs to be repaired and the blood drained from the skull and brain to hopefully limit the damage and allow for a proper recovery with minimal impairment to motor function and cognition. A neurosurgeon will be able to determine which method would work best in your situation.
A brain aneurysm is serious. Do you have more questions about this complex condition and the treatment options available? Learn more from your doctor about what you can expect and the various treatment options that are available for remedying this issue.
Request an appointment here: https://arizonaneurosurgeon.com or call Randall Porter, M.D. at (602) 603-8951 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.
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