Cerebral Aneurysm

Overview

Mayo Clinic's team of neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists have advanced training and experience in the management of children and adults with cerebral aneurysms. An aneurysm's risk of rupture is a key factor in planning care. A rupture can lead to bleeding into the brain tissue or surrounding lining of the brain (hemorrhage), serious complications and death.

A recent international study led by Mayo Clinic specialists found that size and location of a cerebral aneurysm were the major predictors of rupture. (See cerebral aneurysm research for details.) Knowing the risk of rupture helps physicians determine whether surgery or other intervention is needed or whether the patient should be monitored.

Diagnosis

Mayo Clinic specialists have extensive experience in the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms, including the use of sophisticated imaging tools to determine an aneurysm's size, location and risk of rupture. Read more about cerebral aneurysm diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Mayo Clinic offers the full range of treatment options for cerebral aneurysms, from watchful waiting to brain surgery to aneurysm coiling (endovascular) procedures. Mayo physicians have special expertise in the use of minimally invasive techniques to treat cerebral aneurysms, including aneurysms in hard-to-reach or critical locations. Read more about cerebral aneurysm treatment options.

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About Cerebral Aneurysms

A cerebral aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel supplying the cerebrum (brain). The weakened area forms a sac that fills with blood.

Aneurysms can rupture and cause bleeding in the area between the brain and the surrounding membrane called the arachnoid. The space between the brain and the surrounding membrane is called the subarachnoid space, and bleeding into this space is called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Most aneurysms under ¼ inch in diameter do not rupture. However, aneurysms that do rupture can lead to stroke and death. A ruptured aneurysm often causes a severe headache known as a "thunderclap" headache because it comes on so suddenly. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, vision changes, numbness, weakness, speech impairment, and seizures. Approximately 20,000 people in the United States suffer a subarachnoid hemorrhage each year.

An estimated 1 to 2 percent (three to six million) of Americans have cerebral aneurysms. Although they can occur at any age, they are slightly more common in adults than children and are slightly more common in women than men.

Most people never realize they have a cerebral aneurysm until it hemorrhages. However, some larger aneurysms can press on other areas of the brain, producing double vision, loss of vision, headache, seizures, and eye or neck pain.