Brain Aneurysm Treatment Options
Brain aneurysms are a type of blood vessel disorder that causes a bulge or ballooning of one of the arteries in the brain. Learn about the different treatment options available today!
A brain aneurysm occurs when a weak spot develops within a blood vessel in the brain. This weakness allows blood to leak into the surrounding tissue, causing pressure on nearby nerves and other parts of the brain.
Surgery
If surgery isn’t possible, there are several non-invasive treatments that can help reduce the size of the aneurysm and prevent further bleeding. These treatments include:
1) Intravascular Embolization – In this procedure, tiny coils are injected into the aneurysm through a catheter inserted into the artery feeding the aneurysm. The coils block the flow of blood into the aneurysmal sac, reducing its size.
2) Coiling – In this procedure, a small wire coil is threaded into the aneurysmatic sac. Once inside, the coil blocks the flow of blood into that area, preventing more blood from entering the sac.
3) Stent Placement – In this procedure, metal stents are placed in the affected artery to keep it open.
Stent Placement
There are two main types of stents used to treat brain aneurysms:
1) Self Expanding Stents – These stents expand when exposed to body temperature. They are usually made of Nitinol (a nickel titanium alloy), which expands at body temperature.
2) Balloon Expandable Stents – These stent are similar to self expanding stents except that they are inflated with a balloon before being deployed.
Coiling
In some cases, a patient will need to undergo surgery to remove the aneurysm. This is called clipping. However, there are other ways to treat these aneurysms without having to go under the knife. One option is to use coils. These are small metal wires that are inserted into the aneurysm through a catheter. Once inside the aneurysm, the coil forms a “balloon” that pushes against the wall of the aneurysm and prevents it from growing larger.
Clipping
If you have been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, you should talk to your doctor about what treatment plan would work best for you. There are several different treatments available, so it’s important that you choose the right one for you.
Other Treatments
In addition to surgery, there are other treatments available for people who have brain aneurysms. These include medications, endovascular coiling, and stents. Each option has its own benefits and risks, so it’ll be up to you to decide which one will work best for you.