A brain aneurysm is the dilation of the wall of a blood vessel in the brain that can sometimes rupture and cause a cerebral hemorrhage, putting the patient’s life at risk, requiring immediate treatment. On the other hand, there are some aneurysms that do not rupture, do not create problems, do not cause symptoms, and are detected by tests that are performed for other reasons. Depending on the case, they must be observed or treated to avoid a rupture in the future. On this occasion, Dr. José Luis Acha, neurosurgeon at Clinica Ricardo Palma, will give us more information.

Symptoms

The main symptom is a sudden and intense headache, which is described as “the worst headache” you can feel. In addition, it can be accompanied by:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck stiffness
• Blurred vision or double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Seizures
• Eyelid drooping
• Loss of consciousness

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests include:

• Brain tomography
• Cerebral CT angiography
• Cerebrospinal fluid analysis
• MRI scan
• Cerebral angiography

Treatment

There are two treatment options, depending on the characteristics and conditions of each case, the type of procedure is decided.

• Surgical clipping. A craniotomy is performed, the aneurysm is accessed, and a clip is placed to close it.
• Endovascular treatment. It consists of placing a catheter through an artery (in the wrist or groin), reaching the aneurysm and using devices to close it from the inside.

It is important to go to a neurosurgery consultation for a respective specialized assessment, as well as control your high blood pressure and maintain a healthy diet along with exercises that will reduce the risk of formation, growth and rupture of the aneurysm.

Epilepsy Unit

Equipped with state-of-the-art video electroencephalogram equipment for the proper treatment of patients with epileptic and drug-resistant seizures.

Sleep medicine unit

Equipped with modern polysomnography video equipment, which will allow a comprehensive and precise study of multiple physiological functions of the organism during sleep.

Hyperbaric medicine unit

Medical treatment administers medical oxygen at high pressures, which is inhaled through the airways inside a steel hyperbaric chamber.

Dr. José Luis Acha
Neurosurgeon at Clinica Ricardo Palma