A Simple Guide to Cerebral aneurysm
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What is Cerebral aneurysm?
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A cerebral aneurysm is an abnormal ballooning of a section of a blood vessel in the brain.
What is the causes of cerebral aneurysm?
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Cerebral aneurysms occur when there is a weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain.
1.They may occur as a congenital (before birth) defect or may develop later in life.
About 5% of the population has some form of aneurysm in the brain.
2.Trauma and infection, which can injure the blood vessel wall, can cause such aneurysms.
What are the Symptoms of cerebral aneurysm?
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Cerebral aneurysm usually cause no symptoms until they rupture and cause bleeding into the brain.
Often, an aneurysm is found when a CT scan or MRI is performed for another reason. If the unruptured swollen aneurysm presses on the brain , it can cause the following symptoms:
1.Headaches
2.Eye pain
3.Neck pain
4.Double vision
5.Loss of vision
Symptoms of an aneurysm that have ruptured are:
1.Sudden occurrence of a severe headache (often described as "worst headache of my life")
2.Headaches with nausea or vomiting
3.Stiff neck
4.Muscle weakness, difficulty moving any part of the body
5.Numbness or decreased sensation in any part of the body
6.Vision changes like blurring of vision,double vision
7.Eyelid drooping
8.Confusion,
9. Sudden onset of irritability, impulsivity, or poor temper control
10.Slow, sluggish movement
11.Speech impairment
12.Seizures
A ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency.
What are the investigations done in cerebral aneurysm?
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The following tests may be used to diagnose cerebral aneurysm:
1.CT scan of the head can identify bleeding and usually locate the aneurysm.
2.MRI of the head may be an alternative to a CT scan but may be as good at showing bleeding in the brain.
3.Cerebral angiography or spiral CT scan angiography of the head is used to pinpoint the location and size of the aneurysm.
4.cerebrospinal fluid examination via a spinal tap may confirm bleeding.
5.EEG (electroencephalogram) should be performed if there are seizures.
What is the Treatment of cerebral aneurysm?
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Symptoms often do not appear until bleeding of a cerebral aneurysm occurs.
A ruptured cerebral aneurysm is an emergency condition.
The goal of treatment is to prevent further bleeding.
Lowering of blood pressure can decrease the risk of further bleeding.
Neurosurgery is the primary treatment for cerebral aneurysm.
The base of the aneurysm is closed off with clamps or sutures.
Special coils or stents can be placed into the aneurysm through the arteries to prevent rupture.
A blood clot then forms in the aneurysm and prevents further bleeding. This is considered a less invasive approach than brain surgery. It is regarded as the best form of treatment.
If surgery is not feasible because of the location or size of the aneurysm or the condition of the person, medical treatment is:
1.restricting activity (often complete bedrest is advised),
2.treating symptoms such as headache,
3.controlling blood pressure, and
4.prescribing of antiseizure medications.
After the aneurysm is repaired, prevention of stroke due to blood vessel spasm is necessary. This may include intravenous fluids, certain medications, and controlling the blood pressure.
What is the Prognosis of cerebral aneurysm?
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The prognosis depends on the severity of the condition.
Ruptured cerebral aneurysms are often serious.
In severe cases, about 25% of people die within 1 day, and another 25% die within about 3 months. Of those who survive, more than half will have some sort of permanent disability.
In small leaks of ruptured cerebral aneurysm, early treatment of the condition can be very effective with little loss of neurological deficit.
Unruptured aneurysms can be treated very effectively before causing problems.
The decision to repair an unruptured cerebral aneurysm is based on the size and location of the aneurysm, and the patient's age and general health.
What are the Possible Complications of cerebral aneurysm?
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1.Subarachnoid hemorrhage
2.Stroke
3.Seizures, epilepsy
4.Paralysis of any part of the body
5.Permanent loss of sensation of any part of the face or body
6.Other neurologic deficits (such as vision changes, loss of speech ability, cognitive decline)
What is the Prevention of cerebral aneurysm?
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There is no known way to prevent the formation of a cerebral aneurysm because most of them are congenital.
If sudden or severe headache occurs, particularly if you also have nausea, vomiting, seizures, or any other neurological symptoms, early admission to hospital and appropriate investigation can detect an unruptured aneurym or one which has just started to bleed.
Treatment can be initiated and prognosis is good.
