What exactly is a brain aneurysm?

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-01-30

1 Brain aneurysm is not a brain tumor, but it is very harmful!

A brain aneurysm is not really a "tumor", but a type of aneurysmCerebrovascular disease。Although not as "famous" as brain tumors, it is also a very common disease in neurosurgery. It is formed by the structural maldevelopment of the arterial wall in the brain, or the damage or aging of the arterial wall caused by brain trauma and arteriosclerosis, which makes the local blood vessel wall expand outward, and resembles an aneurysm, so it is called an aneurysm. Brain aneurysms do not require radiation or chemotherapy like tumors.

When blood pressure rises due to occasional agitation, straining to defecate, fatigue, etc., cerebral aneurysms are prone to sudden rupture, caused by intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage and its resulting serious complications, are extremely harmful!Once the cerebral aneurysm ruptures, about 10% of the patients die before they can wait for treatment, and 30% of the patients are difficult to treat even if they are sent to the hospitalTherefore,Cerebral aneurysms are also known as intracranial "ticking time bombs".

2. What is the age at which cerebral aneurysms are likely to occur?

U.S. President-elect Biden is a 46-year-old brain aneurysm rupture, in fact, people in this age group are just the most likely to have a brain aneurysm. Cerebral aneurysms most often occur in people aged 40-60 years, which is common in patients over 50 years of age with cerebral aneurysms:Arteriosclerosis, often accompanied by diseases such as high blood pressure, often with multiple aneurysms and a high rate of rupture. Cerebral aneurysms around the age of 40 are often caused byCongenital weakness of blood vessels, cerebral aneurysms occur with a long-term impact of blood flow.

But now there are also many young people who have brain aneurysms, which they usually haveHigh blood pressure, irregular lifestyle, long-term heavy smoking, alcohol abuse, or a family history of aneurysm

So, here is a warm reminder to everyone:Maintain a healthy lifestyle and have regular check-ups. Especially for people over 40 years old, smokers, hypertension, diabetes and other vascular diseases, and people with a family history of cerebrovascular disease.

3. Common symptoms of cerebral aneurysm

Biden was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm in February 1988, which ruptured the aneurysm and caused subarachnoid hemorrhage. In Biden's 2007 memoir, "Keeping the Promise," he referred to the circumstances of his illness: ".I had lightning flashing in my head and a strong electric shock, a pain I had never felt in my life.

Biden's symptoms are still very typical. In general, when a brain aneurysm is small and does not rupture, there are few symptoms. However, before the rupture of the cerebral aneurysm, there are still some clues, such as a slight headache and a stiff neck, which are generally related to the gradual enlargement of the cerebral aneurysm and a small amount of bleeding.

But more patients often have a sudden onset without any warning at this timeThe most typical symptom is a sudden, severe headacheThe patient will feel like being hit hard with a stick, or like forceps clamping tightly on the head, and the pain will be unbearableThere will also be impaired consciousness or visual impairment, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, and some patients may even have convulsions, incontinence, hemiplegia, aphasia and other symptoms.

5. Early screening of cerebral aneurysms.

ForFor cerebral aneurysms, early screening and diagnosis are very importantThe following are the main tests for early screening and diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms:

CT Scan:A special type of X-ray that shows blood flowing into brain tissue. For a patient with a potentially ruptured brain aneurysm, a CT scan of the head is the first step.

Lumbar puncture:For patients with a normal CT scan, a lumbar puncture is recommended to remove cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for laboratory testing. If the cerebrospinal fluid is normal, the risk of developing a cerebral aneurysm is small.

MJMRI MRA:It is a non-invasive test that can diagnose an unruptured aneurysm.

Angiography (DSA):It is an important test for the diagnosis of aneurysm. This test can show the shape of the blood vessels in the brain and also see if there is an aneurysm or bleeding in the brain. Cerebral angiography is a necessary examination method to confirm the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm, which is very important to determine the exact location, shape, inner diameter, number, vasospasm and surgical plan of the aneurysm.

6. What should I do about a brain aneurysm?

Biden successfully underwent a microsurgical craniotomy and underwent a second operation in May 1988. After that, after a recovery period of more than seven months, he finally returned to the Senate and was in condition**.

And now, more than 30 years laterCerebral aneurysms are generally treated with two types of surgical methods, one is craniotomy to clip the aneurysm, and the other is interventional embolization of the aneurysm。As for the choice of these two surgeries, it is decided according to the location, shape, number, size, relationship with surrounding tissues and blood vessels, the patient's age and general physical condition, and the financial status of the patient and his family.

Of course, this does not mean that all patients need surgery. If you stumble upon a non-ruptured cerebral aneurysm, which is small and not located at a critical site, and the neurosurgeon assesses that the risk of rupture is low, you can follow up for observation and leave it untreated. However, every patient's situation is different, so if you or a family member is experiencing a "brain aneurysm", please come hereHospitalsReceive a professional after consultation**.

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