A brain aneurysm is a bulging of the wall of a brain artery that occurs due to its thinning or stretching. If this thinning ruptures, subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage may occur. Factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, and alcohol abuse can contribute to the rupture of an aneurysm. The outcome can be fatal or lead to serious neurological disorders.
Causes
The main causes of brain aneurysms are unknown, but there are several predisposing factors:
- Type III collagen deficiency. This is a hereditary connective tissue disorder in humans. It is usually accompanied by polycystic kidney disease, renal artery hypoplasia, and aortic coarctation.
- Vascular damage due to surgery or trauma.
- Development of various embolisms: bacterial, mycotic, or tumor-related.
- Vascular atherosclerosis.
- Hyaline deposits in the vessel wall.
Diagnosis of Brain Aneurysm in Israel
Often, the formation of a vessel aneurysm occurs asymptomatically. They begin to cause concern only when they reach large sizes (over 11 mm) or when they rupture. A growing aneurysm exerts pressure on surrounding nerves and tissues.
Main symptoms:
- Eye pain.
- Weakness of facial muscles, numbness, paralysis of one side of the face.
- Decreased visual acuity, pupil clouding.
When a brain aneurysm ruptures, a person may experience vomiting, nausea, headache, double vision, and possible loss of consciousness. The vivid clinical manifestations can also resemble those of a stroke.
After analyzing the patient's complaints, the Ichilov clinic conducts examinations using:
- Angiography – a radiological method based on contrast examination of blood vessels. It shows the exact location of the brain aneurysm, as well as its size and shape;
- Computed tomography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Cerebrospinal puncture – if there is suspicion of an aneurysm rupture;
- Consultation and examination by a neurosurgeon and neurologist in Israel will be necessary.
Treatment of Brain Aneurysm in Israel
Treatment of brain aneurysms at the Ichilov clinic in Israel is conducted solely through surgery. The main goal of the intervention is to exclude the aneurysm from circulation. In the case of conservative therapy, a number of residual phenomena may arise.
There are two types of surgeries:
- Clipping and occlusion of the aneurysm – the most complex neurosurgical intervention. Occlusion involves placing clamps on the artery. In clipping, the damaged vessel is excluded from blood flow, but the conductivity of the supplying vessel is preserved. Often, this type of surgery is very dangerous. There is a risk of affecting an artery that is in close proximity. This can lead to the formation of a new brain aneurysm.
- Endovascular embolization – can be performed multiple times during the patient's life.
After resection of the aneurysm, the damaged section of the vessel is replaced with a special prosthesis.