Treatment of Cerebral Aneurysm

A cerebral aneurysm (brain aneurysm) is a bulge that arises from a weak spot in the blood vessel wall in the brain. If the blood vessel wall becomes very thin, it will rupture and bleed into the space surrounding the brain, which is a life-threatening condition. In recent years, minimally invasive procedures to treat cerebral artery aneurysms have significantly reduced complications and recovery times compared to surgical treatment. Therefore, Al Hayat Center for Interventional Radiology and Neurointervention in Karbala, Iraq aims to help patients in Iraq and the Arab world by applying these limited interventions and providing the latest equipment.

Cerebral aneurysms develop in the brain's arteries when a portion of the arterial wall weakens, allowing it to bulge outward and fill with blood, forming a small pouch. Aneurysms typically form along bends or junctions in the brain's arteries, where high blood pressure presses on a weak spot in the arterial walls.

Cerebral aneurysms can exist for years without causing noticeable symptoms or side effects. Therefore, the presence of a cerebral artery aneurysm itself is not dangerous, but the risk of leakage or rupture is a serious health concern. If a rupture occurs, the bleeding in the brain can cause a life-threatening stroke.

Cerebral aneurysms can affect anyone at any age. However, they are more likely to occur in people between 30 and 60. They are also more common in females compared to males at birth.

• Smoking.

• Hypertension.

• Atherosclerosis.

• Drug use.

• Family history of aneurysm.

• Poor nutrition.

• Excessive alcohol consumption.

Brain aneurysms are complex, and as a result, being diagnosed with one can be a frightening and overwhelming experience for patients. While brain aneurysms are potentially life-threatening, about 50 to 80 percent of them never rupture during a patient's lifetime. Although the rupture rate of brain aneurysms is less than one percent per year, ruptures have a high rate of disability and mortality; therefore, diagnosed brain aneurysms should be treated as soon as possible after they are discovered.

The presence of a brain aneurysm may not be known until it ruptures. Most brain aneurysms have no symptoms and are small (less than 10 mm). The smaller the aneurysm, the less likely it is to rupture.

Sometimes there may be symptoms before the aneurysm ruptures because of a small amount of blood that may leak out. Some aneurysms can cause symptoms by pressing on nearby structures, such as the eye nerves, leading to vision loss or eye movement problems, even without rupturing.

• Frequent headache.

• Eye pain.

• Blurred vision.

• Decreased eye movement.

• Sudden, severe headache.

• Neck stiffness.

• Vomiting and nausea.

• Changes in mental status, such as drowsiness.

• Pain in certain areas such as the eyes.

• Dilated pupil.

• Loss of consciousness.

• Hypertension.

• Loss of balance or coordination.

• Light sensitivity.

• Back or leg pain.

• Problems with certain functions of the eyes, nose, tongue, and ears.

• Coma and death.

Treatment methods for brain aneurysms vary depending on each diagnosis. Diagnostic procedures for brain aneurysms include the following:

The procedure involves inserting a catheter (a small, thin tube) into an artery in the leg and guiding it to the blood vessels in the brain to detect problems in the blood vessels and blood flow through them by taking images of the blood vessels. The advanced catheterization device allows for confident evaluation and decision-making, which saves time and helps to avoid delays.

This provides precise CT imaging and is the first in Iraq. It features artificial intelligence characteristics that work to reduce noise for higher-quality images and reduce the time required to obtain results, thereby decreasing the patient's radiation exposure time. Therefore, it is considered the best for pediatric patients.

Many patients believe that their only option for treating cerebral aneurysms is surgery, which requires weeks of recovery and carries significant risks. However, with the minimally invasive procedures provided by Al Hayat Center for Interventional Radiology and Neurointervention in Iraq, treatment options have become safe and minimally invasive.

Cerebral angiography procedures are used to treat cerebral aneurysms instead of relying on open brain surgery, as these vascular treatments use guided catheters to provide effective solutions with a shorter recovery period.

Minimally invasive endovascular intervention is an advanced treatment performed entirely within the body's blood vessels, eliminating the need for open surgery.

The patient is given anesthesia, and a catheter is inserted into the femoral artery in the groin and guided under image guidance to the blood vessel in the brain that is suffering from an aneurysm. This catheter is equipped with coils or stents. Both alter the blood flow away from the aneurysm, reducing the risk of rupture. It is performed without opening the skull.

Most patients can return home the next morning and resume normal activities within a week. These minimally invasive procedures also have the advantage of allowing the treatment of patients whose surgery poses multiple risks, for example, those with cardiovascular disease.

Once the cerebral catheter reaches the desired location, small metallic coils are released directly into the aneurysm to fill it. The body responds by clotting the blood around the coils, limiting or preventing blood flow into the aneurysm. 

A stent is a flexible tubular device placed within the artery in the brain to prevent bleeding from the dilated blood vessels, as it supports them. Over time, the aneurysm will gradually shrink and eventually disappear.

If you or your child has been diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm and you are unsure of the next step, Our experts at Al Hayat Center for Interventional Radiology and Neurointervention in Iraq are ready to assist you. We offer the latest minimally invasive treatment options to give you the best chance of recovery with a limited recovery period. Understanding cerebral aneurysms and the options available to you is the first step toward successful treatment, and we will be with you every step of the way. Through the most advanced procedures, we can reduce the likelihood of rupture while minimizing your recovery time to help you enjoy a healthy life.