Intracerebral Aneurysm

Aneurysms are weaknesses in the wall of your arteries probably present at birth. Usually occur at points of bifurcation (the splitting off of one vessel from another). Aneurysms are thin-walled sacs which are dilated (get larger as the artery wall gets weaker and stretches). Aneurysms can become a problem when the ballooning sack

• If the aneurysm causes the blood to pool and it does not flow well beyond the aneurysm, it can causes ischemia and the death of the brain tissue supplied by the rest of the artery
• Ruptures (bursts)
• If it bursts it can cause leakage of blood into the SUBARACHNOID space. The subarachnoid space contains cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
• The rupture Impairs the circulation beyond the aneurysm
• Gets larger and occupies more space — pressing on other structures
• The enlarged aneurysm presses on the structures next to it. For example, if this occurs at the junction of the Posterior Communicating and Internal Carotid Arteries, it could press upon the Third Cranial Nerve (the Oculomotor Nerve) resulting in a number of things, including droopy eyelids and double vision
• 85-90% of aneurysms occur in
• the Anterior Cerebral circulation system: the Anterior Cerebral-Anterior Communicating junction,
• the Middle Cerebral Artery bifurcation, the junction of the Posterior Communicating and the Internal Carotid Arteries
• 10- 15% affect the Basilar-Vestibular system at the bifurcation of the Basilar Artery

Information

• Aneurysm Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• The Brain Aneurysm Foundation
• Aneurysm Project Information
• Ninds
• Aneurysm and AVM Support
• Information and Referral for Doctors