When a blood vessel in your brain bulges or balloons, it is called a brain aneurysm. Brain aneurysms can be intact, leaking or ruptured. An intact aneurysm may not have any symptoms at all. When it starts to leak or ruptures though, the first symptom will be a headache. If a brain aneurysm were to rupture, it is potentially very life threatening.

When to See a Doctor

For the most part, an intact brain aneurysm won't cause you any reason to worry. There will likely be no symptoms and the only way it will ever be noticed is through tests for something entirely different. However, if you suddenly get a severe headache, nausea or vomiting occurs, you have a stiff neck and blurred or double vision, you'll want to get to a doctor for testing.

Screening Test

If an immediate family member has ever had a brain aneurysm rupture, you may want to speak directly to your doctor about screening for unruptured aneurysms you may have. Also, if you have a congenital disease that increases your chances for brain aneurysms, you may also want to be screened. In general though, doctors do not recommend getting screened to see if you have unruptured brain aneurysms.

Types of Tests

If you have the sudden symptoms of a brain aneurysm, there are four different imaging tests that will be used to diagnose you. First there will be a computerized tomography, or CT scan. Next will be a cerebrospinal fluid test because if a ruptured aneurysm has occurred, there should be red blood cells in the fluid surrounding the brain. After that, they may do a magnetic resonance imaging test, or MRI, which can provide a clearer picture than a CT. Finally, if all the other tests prove inconclusive, a cerebral angiogram may be used.

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Brain Aneurysm: Definition

Aneurysm in the Brain