The aneurysm is a bulge that forms when a section of the wall of a vein or artery weakens. When the dilation occurs in a blood vessel in the brain, it is called a cerebral or intracranial aneurysm.
When the blood vessel ruptures and bleeds, creating what neurosurgeons call a subarachnoid hemorrhage, brain cells begin to die, within minutes.
Although most brain aneurysms do not rupture, cause no health problems, and have no symptoms, a ruptured aneurysm is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
A considerable percentage of people who suffer from it die instantly or are left with a persistent neurological deficit.
However, early care and treatment of a patient with a ruptured aneurysm and management of associated complications, such as hydrocephalus, and prevention of cerebral ischemia, allow us to achieve better functional results.
Symptoms
The most noticeable symptom of a ruptured aneurysm is the appearance of a sudden, excruciating headache. The intense headache is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Blurred or double vision
- Seizures
- Drooping of the eyelid
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
When an aneurysm is small, and does not rupture, the patient does not perceive symptoms, but if the bulge grows, it can press on the tissues and nerves of the brain, causing pain above and behind one eye, dilation of a pupil, double vision or numbness on one side of the face.
Risk factors
Some associated circumstances such as advanced age, smoking, hypertension, drug abuse and abusive alcohol consumption, can favor the appearance of aneurysms.
Risk factors should also include head injury, certain blood infections, and disorders present at birth, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, polycystic kidney disease, cerebral arteriovenous malformation or a family history of brain aneurysm.
For diagnosis, neurosurgeons use CT, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, magnetic resonance imaging, or cerebral angiography.
At the slightest suspicion, contact me. I have the academic preparation, the experience, the technological equipment and the best environment for intracranial aneurysm treatments in Costa Rica.
