What is Brain Aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm, also known as a cerebral aneurysm, is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a weak area in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain bulges or balloons out.
If this aneurysm ruptures, it can cause bleeding in the brain, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke, which can be fatal or cause long-term disabilities.
In this page, we will discuss the causes, symptoms & treatment options for brain aneurysm, including the best brain aneurysm treatment doctors in Mumbai.
Brain Aneurysm may cause these Symptoms
In many cases, brain aneurysms do not cause any symptoms at all & can go unnoticed until they grow big to press on nearby structures or rupture to cause bleeding.
Some people may experience symptoms such as severe headache (often described as the ‘worst headache of life’), blurred or double vision, a stiff neck, sensitivity to light, loss of balance or coordination, difficulty in speaking, numbness or weakness in the face or limbs.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Causes of Brain Aneurysm
The exact cause of brain aneurysms is unknown, but certain factors may increase the risk of developing an aneurysm.
These include high blood pressure, smoking, a family history of brain aneurysms, atherosclerosis, & head trauma to name a few. Women & people over the age of 40 are also at a higher risk.
Treatment options in Brain Aneurysm
The treatment for brain aneurysm depends on the size, location & symptoms from the aneurysm. If the aneurysm is small & not causing any symptoms, your doctor may monitor it closely with regular imaging tests.
However, if the aneurysm is large, growing, causing symptoms or has ruptured, your doctor may recommend surgery or endovascular interventional coiling.
Treatment of aneurysm involves not only treating the aneurysm but also associated complications from aneurysm.
How to detect a Brain Aneurysm?
Brain aneurysm and its associated complications may be detected by various imaging methods like:
- CT Scan with CT Angiography
- MRI Scan with MRI Angiography
- Cerebral Angiography
Each of these has their own merits. Cerebral angiography or cerebral DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography) is one of the most sensitive & accurate means to detect an aneurysm.
Brain Aneurysm Surgery in Mumbai
In brain aneurysm surgery, neurosurgeon’s make an incision in the skull to make an opening to allow access to the aneurysm. They then place a clip at the base of the aneurysm to prevent it from rupturing.
This surgery carries some risks, such as bleeding, infection, stroke & requires a hospital stay of several days. Another ‘non-surgical’ way of treating brain aneurysm is minimally invasive Interventional treatment performed by Interventional NeuroRadiologist
Brain Aneurysm Interventional Treatment in Mumbai
In Interventional endovascular treatment, a Neuro-Interventionalist, like Dr. Amit Sahu, inserts a catheter through an artery in the groin or wrist & threads it up to the brain to deliver various types of endovascular devices.
This minimally invasive procedure carries fewer risks than surgery & has a shorter recovery time.
A lot of different types of Interventional treatments are available & your doctor may choose the best suited as per individual patient characteristics.
These include:
- Endovascular Coiling
- Assisted Coiling using Balloon or Stent
- Flow Diverter placement
- Intra-saccular device placement like Contour or Web devices
- Parent Artery Occlusion
Endovascular coiling, Assisted coiling for Brain Aneurysm
In endovascular coiling, the treating interventional doctor inserts a catheter through an artery in the groin or wrist & threads it up to the brain, where they place a coil (soft ‘spring like’ wire) in the aneurysm to seal it off.
At times, special neuro-interventional balloons or stents may be used to assist in placement these coils & provide support to prevent coils from falling back into normal artery.
Flow Diversion (FD) Stents for Brain Aneurysm
For this procedure, the catheter is threaded in a manner similar to coiling. Through the catheter, we place a mesh tube like stent in the part of the blood vessel that contains the aneurysm. The mesh encourages or diverts your blood flow ‘away from’ instead of ‘into’ the aneurysm. This allows eventual occlusion of the aneurysm.
Contour, WEB device for Brain Aneurysm
For this procedure, the catheter is threaded into the aneurysm & through the catheter, we insert a metal mesh-like cube or sphere into the aneurysm. This works somewhat similar to a coil, as it provides a seal-like effect on the aneurysm, not allowing blood into aneurysm anymore to prevent it from further enlarging or rupturing.
Best Brain Aneurysm Treatment Doctors in Mumbai
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, it is important to seek treatment from a qualified & experienced Interventional Radiologist / Interventional Neuro-Radiologist, NeuroSurgeon.
Dr. Amit Sahu is a leading Interventional NeuroRadiologist performing all types of Interventional treatments for brain aneurysm in Mumbai. He works with some of the best Neurosurgeons in Mumbai providing Interventional treatments.
He is known for his patient-centric approach, personalised treatment plans & commitment to delivering the highest quality care.
Dr. Amit Sahu is fellowship trained in Interventional Radiology & Interventional Neuro-Radiology. He has received training from one of the best centres in India (KEM Hospital, Mumbai) & USA (Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore).He employs the latest techniques to provide the best possible outcomes for his patients.
Conclusion
Brain aneurysm can be a serious & potentially life-threatening condition, especially if they have ruptured. With early detection & timely treatment, the outcomes can be good.
Mumbai has some of the best doctors in India treating brain aneurysms, both by Interventional & Surgical means, including Dr. Amit Sahu.
Dr. Amit Sahu has more than 12 years of experience in the field of Interventional Radiology & Interventional NeuroRadiology.
If you experience any symptoms of a brain aneurysm, seek medical attention immediately.
