Brain aneurysm repair

Definition

An aneurysm is a weak area in the wall of a blood vessel that causes the blood vessel to bulge or balloon out. It can leak blood and cause a stroke or bleeding along the surface of the brain (also called a subarachnoid hemorrhage).

See also: Aneurysm in the brain

Alternative Names

Aneurysm repair - cerebral; Cerebral aneurysm repair; Coiling; Saccular aneurysm repair; Berry aneurysm repair; Fusiform aneurysm repair; Dissecting aneurysm repair; Endovascular aneurysm repair

Description

Your doctor will decide the best way to perform surgery on your aneurysm. Endovascular repair, most often using a "coil" or coiling, is a less invasive way to treat some aneurysms.

During endovascular repair of an aneurysm, your surgeon blocks off the aneurysm before it can break open (ruptures).

• It is usually done in the radiology section of the hospital. You will have general anesthesia and a breathing tube.
• A catheter is guided through a small cut in your groin to an artery and then to the small blood vessels in your brain where the aneurysm is. Thin metal wires are put into the aneurysm. They then coil up into a mesh ball. Blood clots that form around this coil prevent the aneurysm from breaking open and bleeding.
• During and right after this procedure, you may be given a blood thinner called heparin.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medications
• Breathing problems

Possible risks of brain surgery are:

• Surgery on any one area may cause problems with speech, memory, muscle weakness, balance, vision, coordination, and other functions. These problems may be mild or severe, and they may last a short while or they may not go away.
• Blood clot or bleeding in the brain
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Infection in the brain
• Brain swelling

Signs of neurological problems include:

• Vision problems (from blindness to peripheral vision problems)
• Speech problems
• Confusion
• Problems noticing things around you
• Behavior changes
• Loss of balance or coordination