A cerebral (brain) aneurysm is the dilation of a blood vessel resulting from a congenital or acquired weakness (e.g., trauma) in the walls of the blood vessel. Without intervention, the aneurysm will continue to expand, and in about 3% of cases, it will eventually rupture, causing cerebral hemorrhage and potentially leading to death. However, most people with cerebral aneurysms are unaware of their existence and are likely to live long lives without any symptoms or the need for treatment. The time window for treating a hemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm (by closing it through a thrombectomy) is 12-24 hours.
Cerebral hemorrhage is usually accompanied by severe headaches that do not subside with pain relievers, vomiting, neck stiffness, and changes in consciousness due to muscle spasms around the brain's affected membranes. If any of these symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention.
In cases where an unruptured aneurysm is detected, the treatment for closing it is considered based on its location, size, the patient's age, and overall condition. A thrombectomy is generally required for aneurysms larger than 5 mm, while smaller aneurysms may only need monitoring.
The exact cause of the development of an aneurysm cannot usually be determined. However, there are several known risk factors: advanced age, hypertension, head injuries, smoking, and chronic cocaine use.
The new treatment with a state-of-the-art dual-plane thrombectomy device involves inserting tiny supports, called "baby stents," into the patient's brain through minimally invasive surgery. The device has a built-in imaging system, allowing real-time visualization to ensure precise placement of the tiny particles.
During the procedure, we gently penetrate the patient's artery to avoid tearing it and rebuild it by placing a metallic support (a dense mesh). During the healing process, the artery builds a coating around the stent, making it a part of the artery and sealing the aneurysm.
In medical literature, the cause of arterial tears (known as dissection in medical terminology) has not yet been determined. It is estimated that some cases are caused by significant head injuries or sudden head movements.