Symptoms of a leaking aneurysm are similar to those of a ruptured aneurysm, though they may not be as severe. Most cerebral aneurysms are found incidentally, often when brain imaging is used to look for other conditions, such as a concussion.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist like a cardiothoracic or vascular surgeon. A CT scan and ultrasound are common imaging tests used to diagnose or find blood vessel irregularities. CT scans use X-rays to examine the inside of your body. This allows your doctor to see the condition of the blood vessels, as well as any blockages, bulges, and weak spots that may be inside the blood vessels. For example, a weakened area of a vessel in your chest and abdomen may require a type of surgery called an endovascular stent graft.
This minimally invasive procedure may be used over traditional open surgery because it involves repairing and reinforcing damaged blood vessels. The procedure also reduces the chance of infection, scarring, and other problems. Other treatments can include medications that treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Certain types of beta-blockers may also be prescribed to lower blood pressure. Lowering your blood pressure may keep your aneurysm from rupturing.
Eating a nutrient-rich diet containing plenty of fruits, whole grains, and vegetables may help prevent an aneurysm from forming. Meat and poultry low in saturated fat and cholesterol are also good protein options. Low fat dairy products are also beneficial. Incorporating regular exercise into your routine, especially cardio , can encourage healthy blood circulation and blood flow through the heart, arteries, and other blood vessels. If you smoke tobacco products, consider quitting.
Eliminating tobacco can decrease your risk of an aneurysm. Quitting can be challenging, but a healthcare professional can help you build a cessation plan that works for you and connect you with other supportive resources. Scheduling annual checkups is another way to be proactive about helping prevent an aneurysm. An aneurysm is a bulge that forms in the thinning wall of an artery.
Two of the most common and potentially life threatening locations for an aneurysm are the brain cerebral aneurysm and the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body. If an aneurysm ruptures, it is a medical emergency. Of these people, around 1 in 20 develop an aneurysm in the brain. Your risk of developing a brain aneurysm can be higher if you have a condition that affects your body tissues, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or Marfan syndrome.
This is because these conditions can sometimes cause weaknesses in the walls of your blood vessels. People with coarctation of the aorta are also at an increased risk of developing a brain aneurysm. Coarctation of the aorta is the term used to describe narrowing of the main artery in the body the aorta , which is present from birth congenital. It is a common type of congenital heart disease. Page last reviewed: 16 August Next review due: 16 August Increased risk There are a number of things that can increase your risk of developing a brain aneurysm.
Smoking Smoking tobacco can significantly increase your risk of developing a brain aneurysm. The risk is particularly high in people with a family history of brain aneurysm. High blood pressure High blood pressure can place increased pressure on the walls of the blood vessels inside the brain, increasing your chances of developing an aneurysm. Ruptured cerebral aneurysms are the most common cause of a type of stroke known as subarachnoid hemorrhage SAH.
An aneurysm can also occur in a peripheral artery. Types of peripheral aneurysm include :. Not all cases of unruptured aneurysm need active treatment. When an aneurysm ruptures, however, emergency surgery is needed. The doctor may monitor an unruptured aortic aneurysm, if no symptoms are evident. Medications and preventive measures may form part of conservative management, or they may accompany active surgical treatment.
A ruptured aneurysm needs emergency surgery. Without immediate repair, patients have a low chance of survival. The decision to operate on an unruptured aneurysm in the aorta depends on a number of factors related to the individual patient and features of the aneurysm.
A large or rapidly growing aortic aneurysm is more likely to need surgery. There are two options for surgery:. In endovascular surgery, the surgeon accesses the blood vessels through a small incision near the hip. Stent-graft surgery inserts an endovascular graft through this incision using a catheter. The graft is then positioned in the aorta to seal off the aneurysm. In an open AAA repair, a large incision is made in the abdomen to expose the aorta.
A graft can then be applied to repair the aneurysm. In the case of a brain aneurysm, the surgeon will normally operate only if there is a high risk of rupture.
The potential risk of brain damage resulting from surgical complications is too great. Instead of surgery, patients receive guidance on how to monitor and manage the risk factors for a ruptured brain aneurysm, for example, monitoring blood pressure. If a ruptured cranial aneurysm results in a subarachnoid hemorrhage, surgery is likely.
This is considered a medical emergency. This procedure would aim to close off the ruptured artery in the hope of preventing another bleed. However, an unruptured aneurysm may still obstruct circulation to other tissues. They can also form blood clots that may go on to obstruct smaller blood vessels.
This is a condition known as thromboembolism. It can lead to ischemic stroke or other serious complications. Rapidly growing abdominal aneurysms are sometimes associated with symptoms. Some people with abdominal aneurysms report abdominal pain, lower back pain , or a pulsating sensation in the abdomen. Similarly, thoracic aneurysms can affect nearby nerves and other blood vessels, potentially causing swallowing and breathing difficulties, and pain in the jaw, chest, and upper back.
If the pressure becomes too elevated, the blood and oxygen supply to the brain may be disrupted to the point that loss of consciousness or even death may occur. Subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured brain aneurysm can disrupt the balance of sodium in the blood. This may occur from damage to the hypothalamus, an area near the base of the brain.
A drop in blood-sodium levels hyponatremia can lead to swelling of brain cells and permanent damage. Brain aneurysm care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Brain aneurysm Open pop-up dialog box Close. Brain aneurysm An aneurysm is a ballooning at a weak spot in an artery wall.
An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Williams LN, et al.
Management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Neurology Clinical Practice. Thompson BG, et al. Cerebral aneurysm fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Accessed April 11, Cerebral aneurysm. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Daroff RB, et al. Intracranial Aneurysms and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. In: Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice.
Philadelphia, Pa. Singer RJ, et al. Unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Maciel CB, et al.
0コメント