Definition

A brain aneurysm occurs when a weakened area of a blood vessel in the brain bulges, becoming filled with blood. This bulge can rupture, or it can place pressure on nerves in the brain.

Types

Types of brain aneurysms include saccular, lateral and fusiform. Saccular aneurysms are the most common; they consist of a sac of blood hanging from a blood vessel and resemble a berry. A lateral aneurysm is located on only one wall of a blood vessel, whereas a fusiform aneurysm occurs when all the walls of a blood vessel widen in size. Doctors also classify brain aneurysms according to size.

Causes

A person can be born with an aneurysm (though not presenting symptoms until later or perhaps not at all). A correlation between some genetic diseases (e.g., polycystic kidney disease) and brain aneurysms exists. Brain injuries and conditions like high blood pressure and atherosclerosis are shown to increase the likelihood of a brain aneurysm. Smoking and drugs may also contribute to the development of brain aneurysms.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an aneurysm are pain in the forehead behind the eye, numbness and weakness. Signs of a ruptured aneurysm include an extremely painful headache with sudden onset, vision problems, a stiff neck and vomiting.

Treatment

Physicians treat brain aneurysms through surgery, either separating the aneurysm from the blood vessel (clipping) or preventing any further blood flow to the aneurysm (coiling).

Source:

Mayo Clinic

National Institutes of Health

Brain Aneurysm Foundation

More Information:

Brain Aneurysm