Treatment of Aneurysms
Treatment of a Brain Aneurysm, either ruptured or un-ruptured, is performed by a Neurosurgeon-a physician who specializes in surgeries of the Brain and Spine. It must be noted that treatment of a Ruptured Aneurysm will not reverse the damage that has already occurred. The goal of treatment is to prevent death, stop the bleeding, and prevent further damage. As Neurosurgeons compose, less than 1% of all physicians it is likely that you will need travel or be transferred to another hospital. There are three basic treatments for Aneurysm.
- Do Nothing Approach
- there is some evidence to suggest that in the case of a small Aneurysm the chance of rupture may be low enough that the best approach is to observe rather than risk surgery.
- Coil Embolization
- or endovascular coiling is a method of treatment that is less invasive than surgery. With this method, a catheter is used to insert small platinum coils into the Aneurysm, which blocks the flow of blood and reduces the risk of a rupture. This method of treatment may not be as effective as traditional surgery but might be a better alternative for patients whose health might prohibit surgery or for Aneurysms un-accessible through surgery.
- Surgical Clipping
- long considered the gold standard of treatment this is an invasive procedure that does entail risks. In this procedure, a Neurosurgeon performs a craniotomy-the surgical removal of a section of the skull-, which provides access to the brain itself. The surgeon will then locate the Aneurysm and place a tiny metal clip, often made of Titanium, on the neck, thus isolating the Aneurysm from the parent artery.
There are a variety of factors, which must be taken into account, by a surgeon, in order to determine the best course of treatment for a particular case. These include the size and location of the Aneurysm, the overall general health and age of the patient, and the presence of any additional risks factors.
Surgery is also the preferred treatment for Aneurysms in locations other than the brain and is generally performed by a cardio thoracic or vascular surgeon. The traditional method has been to open the abdomen or chest and surgically remove the Aneurysm, replacing the removed section with a graft. This graft might be a section of blood vessel taken from another part of your body or a synthetic Dacron tube.
Endovascular surgery is also an option that is often employed for these types of Aneurysms. This procedure is much less invasive and does not require the large open incisions of traditional surgery; however, not all Aneurysms can be treated in this manner.
Again, as with Brain Aneurysms, there are a variety of factors, which must be taken into account, by a surgeon, in order to determine the best course of treatment for a particular case. These include the size and location of the Aneurysm, the overall general health and age of the patient, and the presence of any additional risks factors.
Nothing on this website should, in any way be considered medical advice. It is presented as general information only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any type of medical condition. I am not a doctor, nurse, or any other type of medical or health care professional. Nor am I an expert on Aneurysms. However, I am an expert on the experience of having suffered a ruptured Aneurysm and the subsequent treatment I received. This site should not be considered to be, nor is it intended to be, a definitive source of information regarding Aneurysms. I have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy of any information presented here, but again, I am not a medical professional and my own interpretation of this information could be in error.