A cerebral aneurysm is a balloon like dilation of the wall of a vein or artery in the brain. It is a weakening in the wall with a propensity to rupture. Aneurysms develop usually at blood vessels branch points. Causes of aneurysm formation include birth blood vessel defects, thinning of a blood vessel opening, infection or head trauma.

Unruptured aneurysms in most cases have no symptoms. Sometimes unruptured aneurysm causes fatigue, speech disturbances, vision problems, loss of coordination and decreased concentration. Aneurysms usually provoke medical problems by bleeding or by causing pressure on nearby brain structures.

When a brain aneurysm ruptures, the result is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Different size brain damage or even death may be result of this hemorrhage. Smoking and untreated high blood pressure increase the risk of aneurysm rupture.

Diagnosis of cerebral aneurysm can be done by CT, MRI or cerebral angiography scan.

Treatment options of cerebral aneurysms include coil embolization and surgical clipping.

Coil embolization is less invasive procedure: platinum coils are inserted into the aneurysm through small tube that is inserted into the affected artery. Those coils fill the aneurysm and so reduce blood flow into aneurysm and reduce the risk of rupture.

Surgical clipping is more complicated procedure. Neurosurgeon places a tiny metal clip across the neck of an aneurysm to stop blood flow. Craniotomy (removal of a section of the skull) is produced by neurosurgeon in order to access the affected blood vessels. After the operation the bone is secured in its original place, and the wound is closed.   

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