Brain Aneurysm Overview
A brain aneurysm is an abnormal bulging or bubble that forms on one of the arteries in the brain. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is diagnosed when blood leaks out of the aneurysm into the surrounding space in the brain called the subarachnoid space. Subarachnoid hemorrhage can lead to hemorrhagic stroke, brain damage, or death. Fortunately, modern imaging and diagnostic technologies can detect many aneurysms before they rupture. Globally, by the year 2015, over 200,000 cases of ruptured and unruptured brain aneurysms will be treated each year.
Treatment Options
Traditional surgery and the more minimally-invasive endovascular coiling techniques are the two treatment options for ruptured and unruptured brain aneurysms. Surgery is the legacy approach and is a highly invasive option that requires an open craniotomy and brain resection to treat the aneurysm.
Since the late 1990's, and the landmark ISAT results*, the field of interventional neuroradiology has experienced rapid growth and this growth will continue, to >85–90% of all cases as new endovascular devices make treating aneurysms safer, easier and ultimately more efficacious in the long term.
Today the gold standard continues to be endovascular coiing for aneurysm repair. Stent-assisted coil placement has also become a standard of care for side-wall aneurysm therapy in complex anatomy.