The term “brain aneurysm” refers to a bulging blood vessel in the brain. It occurs when a thin, weak spot forms along an artery wall. This weak spot may balloon outward and fill with blood.
If the aneurysm ruptures, blood will flow out of that artery and into your brain. This is a life-threatening condition called a hemorrhagic stroke.
Fortunately, with prompt diagnosis and treatment, ruptured aneurysms are survivable. And thanks to the advanced expertise and equipment available at Valley, we can often prevent aneurysms from rupturing in the first place — helping you avoid the need for life-saving emergency care.
Brain Aneurysm Symptoms
Many people with brain aneurysms don’t even realize it. Some people find out they have one by accident, during tests for other neurological conditions. Others are unaware until the moment their aneurysm ruptures, causing sudden symptoms.
Signs of an Unruptured Aneurysm
You may have early signs of an unruptured aneurysm if it’s large and presses against a nerve or brain tissue. These early signs include:
- Blurred or double vision
- Dilated pupil in one eye
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face
- Pain around or behind one eye
Signs of a Ruptured Aneurysm
If you have an aneurysm that ruptures, you’ll probably develop a sudden, extremely painful headache. People who have experienced this often say it was “the worst headache of their life.” Other symptoms may include:
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizure
A ruptured aneurysm requires immediate treatment to prevent disability or death. If you or a loved one develop any of the above symptoms, call 911 right away.
Brain Aneurysm Treatment at Valley
Valley offers complete care for brain aneurysms. This includes emergency treatment to repair ruptured aneurysms and scheduled procedures to seal unruptured aneurysms.
Watchful Waiting
If you’re found to have an unruptured brain aneurysm, you and your provider will discuss whether to treat it or keep an eye on it (known as “watchful waiting”). This decision is based on several factors, including the size, shape and location of your aneurysm.
Even though it can be scary to know there is a weak blood vessel inside your brain, watchful waiting is common. Not all brain aneurysms will rupture. And a brain aneurysm that is small and doesn’t cause any symptoms may pose fewer health risks than undergoing a procedure to treat it.
Minimally Invasive Brain Aneurysm Treatment
Modern technology makes it possible to treat brain aneurysms less invasively. In some cases, instead of opening your skull we can guide hollow, flexible tubes (catheters) through your blood vessels and into your brain. Once we reach the aneurysm, we can pass tiny tools or devices through the catheter.
These minimally invasive techniques are sometimes referred to as “endovascular” procedures. They’re performed by specially trained providers called endovascular neurosurgeons.
Valley offers all of the latest endovascular treatments for brain aneurysms, including:
- Aneurysm coiling: During this procedure — also known as coil embolization or endovascular coiling — your surgeon places a tiny platinum coil inside the bulging portion of the blood vessel. This prevents any more blood from entering the aneurysm, which keeps it from rupturing.
- Flow diversion (flow diverter stent placement): Instead of placing a coil or other device directly inside the aneurysm, your surgeon inserts a tiny mesh tube (stent) in the main artery that feeds the aneurysm. The stent blocks the “neck” (opening) of the aneurysm, so blood can no longer flow inside.
- Woven EndoBridge (WEB) aneurysm treatment: During this treatment for wide-neck aneurysms, which have been hard to repair until now, your surgeon implants a flexible, expanding mesh ball. Not only does this device fill the aneurysm itself, but it also redirects blood flow away from it.
Brain Aneurysm Surgery
In some cases, open brain surgery is still the best option for treating brain aneurysms. Valley neurosurgeons have lots of experience performing “aneurysm clipping,” a procedure with a long track record of safety and success.
During this procedure, your neurosurgeon temporarily removes a small piece of skull (craniotomy) near the aneurysm. Once your surgeon finds the aneurysm, they clamp its neck with a tiny metal clip. This blocks any more blood from entering the aneurysm.
Why Choose Valley for Brain Aneurysm Care?
- Nationally recognized stroke care: If your brain aneurysm ruptures, causing a hemorrhagic stroke, you can count on us for expert emergency care. The Valley Hospital has been designated a Comprehensive Stroke Center — the highest honor a hospital can achieve — by The Joint Commission. This means patients brought to our emergency room have access to the most advanced stroke care available, improving your chances of survival and recovery.
- State-of-the-art operating suite: We’re home to a sophisticated “hybrid” operating room (OR) equipped for both traditional brain surgery and endovascular neurosurgery. This unique setup allows our providers to quickly transition from minimally invasive to open aneurysm repair should the need arise. And high-tech imaging equipment available in our hybrid OR lets us watch blood flow through the blood vessels in your brain. This means we can immediately confirm whether your treatment worked, without having to move you to a separate imaging suite.
- Neuroscience intensive care unit (ICU): Patients recovering from a brain aneurysm are cared for in our dedicated neuroscience ICU. This unit is comprised of private rooms and is staffed by doctors, nurses and other providers with advanced training in critical care and brain health.
- Robust rehabilitation care: In addition to offering the latest brain aneurysm treatments, we offer the rehabilitation services you may need to recover. This includes physical therapy to help you regain strength and movement, and occupational therapy to help you perform your normal daily activities. We also offer speech-language therapy for patients who have trouble speaking or swallowing after having a hemorrhagic stroke.
