Intracranial Aneurysm

Intracranial aneurysm is focal abnormal dilation of an intracranial artery (saccular/fusiform), most often at the circle of Willis. Unruptured: may be asymptomatic or cause mass effect (cranial-nerve palsy). Ruptured: subarachnoid hemorrhage with thunderclap headache, high mortality. Treatment: unruptured - surveillance or surgical clipping/endovascular coiling based on size/location/growth; ruptured - emergency ICU, secure aneurysm (clipping/coiling), manage vasospasm/hydrocephalus; control BP; prevent rebleeding.

Common Symptoms

Unruptured: asymptomatic/cranial-nerve palsy; ruptured: thunderclap headache/SAH; by saccular/fusiform/giant

Causes and Pathogenesis

Congenital/atherosclerotic/hemodynamic factors cause focal arterial dilation and rupture risk.

Treatment

Unruptured: monitor/clip/coil by size/location; ruptured: emergency, secure aneurysm, manage vasospasm/ hydrocephalus

Preventive Measures

Control BP/no smoking; screen family history; treat before rupture.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Neurology/Neurosurgery-Neuroradiology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.