Intracranial aneurysm

Intracranial aneurysm
Other names	Cerebral aneurysm, brain aneurysm
Aneurysm of the basilar artery and the vertebral arteries
Specialty	Interventional neuroradiology, neurosurgery, neurology
Symptoms	None, severe headache, visual problems, nausea and vomiting, confusion[1]
Usual onset	30–60 years old
Causes	Hypertension, infection, head trauma[2]
Risk factors	old age, family history, smoking, alcoholism, cocaine use[1]
Diagnostic method	Angiography, CT scan
Treatment	Endovascular coiling, surgical clipping, cerebral bypass surgery, pipeline embolization

An intracranial aneurysm, also known as a cerebral aneurysm, is a cerebrovascular disorder characterized by a localized dilation or ballooning of a blood vessel in the brain due to a weakness in the vessel wall. These aneurysms can occur in any part of the brain but are most commonly found in the arteries of the circle of Willis. The risk of rupture varies with the size and location of the aneurysm, with those in the posterior circulation being more prone to rupture.

Cerebral aneurysms are classified by size into small, large, giant , and super-giant, and by shape into saccular (berry), fusiform, and microaneurysms. Saccular aneurysms are the most common type and can result from various risk factors, including genetic conditions, hypertension, smoking, and drug abuse.

Symptoms of an unruptured aneurysm are often minimal, but a ruptured aneurysm can cause severe headaches, nausea, vision impairment, and loss of consciousness, leading to a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Treatment options include surgical clipping and endovascular coiling, both aimed at preventing further bleeding.

Diagnosis typically involves imaging techniques such as CT or MR angiography and lumbar puncture to detect subarachnoid hemorrhage. Prognosis depends on factors like the size and location of the aneurysm and the patient’s age and health, with larger aneurysms having a higher risk of rupture and poorer outcomes.

Advances in medical imaging have led to increased detection of unruptured aneurysms, prompting ongoing research into their management and the development of predictive tools for rupture risk.