The brain is the control center for all bodily functions, from thinking and movement to regulating vital organs. However, some conditions can threaten brain health without causing obvious symptoms. One such condition is a brain aneurysm, a condition that often goes unnoticed until it leads to serious complications. If not detected and treated promptly, this condition can lead to life-threatening brain hemorrhage. This can occur not only in older adults but also in younger individuals. Understanding this condition is crucial for early detection and treatment.
What Is a Brain Aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm, or intracranial aneurysm, is an abnormal widening of a blood vessel in the brain caused by a weakening of the vessel wall. This condition causes a small balloon-like bulge to form that can thin and rupture at any time. If the aneurysm ruptures, blood will flow into the space around the brain and cause subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), an emergency that can lead to stroke , coma, and even death.
Over time, an aneurysm can enlarge and risk rupturing, causing bleeding around the brain, known as a hemorrhagic stroke or subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Risk Factors for Brain Aneurysm
The exact cause of brain aneurysms is still unknown. However, several factors that can increase the risk include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Smoking habit
- Genetic or congenital factors
- Injury to blood vessels
- Certain infections involving the blood vessels
Symptoms of Brain Aneurysm
In many cases, aneurysms cause no symptoms and are discovered incidentally during a medical examination. However, some patients may experience:
- Headache
- Pain and stiffness in the neck (stiff neck)
- Visual disturbances
- Seizures
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Facial pain
- Cranial nerve disorders
Brain Aneurysm Treatment
Treatment for brain aneurysms aims to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing or stop bleeding if it has already ruptured. One minimally invasive procedure for treating brain aneurysms is endovascular coiling .
The doctor inserts a catheter through a blood vessel in the thigh or wrist to a blood vessel in the brain. Next, a special platinum coil or wire is placed inside the aneurysm to form a blood clot and seal it off from blood flow. The advantages of this procedure include a smaller incision, a quicker recovery period, and a lower risk of post-operative complications in some cases.
Risk of Brain Aneurysm Complications
The risks and complications that occur can vary, ranging from mild neurological disorders to life-threatening conditions.
- Brain Hemorrhage ( Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ).
- Stroke .
- Narrowing of the blood vessels of the brain.
- Accumulation of fluid in the brain cavity (hydrocephalus).
Factors that increase the risk of complications:
- Large aneurysm size.
- The location of a particular aneurysm in the cerebral blood vessels.
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- Smoking habit.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Family history of brain aneurysm.
- Elderly.
Get checked at EMC Hospital, Cikarang
A brain aneurysm is a serious condition that can be life-threatening if it ruptures. Many aneurysms are asymptomatic, making screening and early detection crucial, especially in individuals with risk factors such as hypertension and smoking. With advances in neurosurgical and neurointerventional technology, various treatment options are now available to help prevent aneurysm rupture and improve patients' quality of life.
If you experience a sudden, severe headache, visual disturbances, weakness in your limbs, or other neurological symptoms, immediately consult a neurosurgeon or neurointerventional specialist at EMC Cikarang Hospital to receive appropriate treatment according to your health condition.
Article written by Dr. H. Tranggono Yudo Utomo, Sp.N, M.Si.Med, FINA, C.MSC (Neurology Specialist - Neurointervention, EMC Cikarang Hospital).