Brain Aneurysm Diagnosis and Treatment

A brain aneurysm is a weak, bulging area in an artery wall that supplies blood to the brain. Over time, the pressure of blood flow can cause the weakened area to enlarge like a balloon. If an aneurysm ruptures, it causes bleeding into the space surrounding the brain — a subarachnoid hemorrhage — which is a life-threatening medical emergency.

Many aneurysms are found before they rupture, often during imaging for other conditions. Unruptured aneurysms can be treated proactively to prevent rupture, and modern endovascular techniques make treatment safer and less invasive than ever before.

Unruptured Aneurysms

Most unruptured aneurysms cause no symptoms at all and are discovered incidentally during imaging for other conditions. However, some may produce warning signs:

Ruptured Aneurysms — Emergency

A ruptured aneurysm is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Seek emergency care if you experience:

The optimal treatment depends on aneurysm size, location, shape, and the patient's overall health. Here is a brief overview of the three main approaches:

Aneurysm coiling (endovascular coiling) is the most common endovascular treatment for brain aneurysms. It involves filling the aneurysm with tiny platinum coils to prevent blood from entering, effectively sealing it off from the circulation.

For aneurysms that are not amenable to endovascular treatment, surgical clipping remains an effective option. This open neurosurgical procedure involves creating a small window in the skull (craniotomy) to access the aneurysm and place a titanium clip across its base, cutting off blood flow.

Our neurointerventional team works closely with cerebrovascular neurosurgeons to determine whether coiling, clipping, or other techniques such as flow diversion are most appropriate for each patient's unique anatomy.