Brain Aneurysm

Can Brain Aneurysms Be Treated Successfully in India? - Brain Aneurysm Treatment

A brain aneurysm is a weak, bulging spot on the wall of an artery in the brain. If it ruptures, it can cause a serious type of stroke. This short explains the main approaches to treatment.

The goals of treatment

• Preventing rupture. For an unruptured aneurysm, the aim is to seal it off from the main artery to prevent it from bleeding in the future.
• Stopping re-bleeding. If an aneurysm has already ruptured, treatment is usually urgent. The goal is to secure the aneurysm to prevent it from bleeding again.
• Deciding to treat. The decision depends on the aneurysm's size, location and shape, as well as your age and overall health. Some small aneurysms may be monitored.

Common treatment approaches

A specialist will recommend the most suitable approach for you. The two main options are open surgery and an endovascular procedure.

• Surgical clipping. This is an open surgery where a neurosurgeon places a tiny metal clip at the base of the aneurysm to cut off its blood supply.
• Endovascular coiling. In this less invasive procedure, a catheter is guided through blood vessels to the aneurysm. Soft platinum coils are then placed inside it to block blood flow.
• Flow diversion. This is another endovascular option. A stent-like device is placed in the parent blood vessel to divert blood flow away from the aneurysm, causing it to shrink over time.

The suitability of any treatment depends on your individual case. A final decision can only be made after a specialist has reviewed your medical reports and recent imaging scans.