Aneurysm in the brain

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Cerebral aneurysm

Cerebral aneurysm

Aneurysm - cerebral; Cerebral aneurysm

A person may have an aneurysm without having any symptoms. This kind of aneurysm may be found when an MRI or CT scan of the brain is done for another reason.

A cerebral aneurysm may begin to "leak" a small amount of blood. This may cause a severe headache that a patient may describe as "the worst headache of my life." Another phrase used to describe this is a sentinel headache. This means the headache could be a warning sign of a rupture days or weeks after the headache first happens.

Symptoms may also occur if the aneurysm pushes on nearby structures in the brain or breaks open (ruptures) and causes bleeding into the brain.

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Symptoms depend on the location of the aneurysm, whether it breaks open, and what part of the brain it is pushing on, but may include:

• Double vision
• Loss of vision
• Headaches
• Eye pain
• Neck pain
• Stiff neck

A sudden, severe headache is one symptom of an aneurysm that has ruptured. Other symptoms of an aneurysm rupture may include:

• Confusion, lethargy, sleepiness, or stupor
• Eyelid drooping
• Headaches with nausea or vomiting
• Muscle weakness or difficulty moving any part of the body
• Numbness or decreased sensation in any part of the body
• Seizures
• Speech impairment
• Stiff neck (occasionally)
• Vision changes (double vision, loss of vision)

NOTE: A ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical help.

An eye exam may show evidence of increased pressure in the brain (raised intracranial pressure), including swelling of the optic nerve or bleeding into the retina of the eye. A brain and nervous system (neurological) exam may show abnormal eye movement, speech, strength, or sensation.

The following tests may be used to diagnose cerebral aneurysm and determine the cause of bleeding in the brain:

• Cerebral angiography or spiral CT scan angiography of the head to reveal the location and size of the aneurysm
• Cerebrospinal fluid exam (spinal tap)
• CT scan of the head
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• MRI of the head

Review Date: 09/28/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital; and David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).