Rare, but dangerous disease, which will be discussed, with late diagnosis is associated with a high risk of disability and death. Aneurysm of cerebral vessels is a pathology in which one or several blood vessels inside the skull are affected, which threatens their rupture and bleeding.
Aneurysm of cerebral vessels - causes
This disease develops at any age, but in most cases it is detected in patients aged 35 to 60 years. At the same time, experts note a higher incidence among women. An aneurysm of the cerebral vessels is formed as a result of a violation of the three-layered structure of the vascular wall, in which, due to the loss of elasticity of the muscle fibers of the middle and outer membranes, their thinning and stretching, the bulging of the inner layer is formed.
Prerequisites for the formation of an aneurysm can be both congenital vascular changes and acquired deformities. Factors of the first type (congenital) include, for example, arteriovenous malformation - pathological tortuosity of the arteries with some changes in the anatomical structure of the vascular wall itself. Acquired aneurysm of the brain can be associated with the following main reasons:
- closed craniocerebral trauma ;
- hypertonic disease;
- coarctation of the aorta;
- infectious lesions of brain tissues;
- radiation exposure;
- cysts and tumors inside the head.
Most scientists agree that several factors play a role in the development of pathology. In addition, the following unfavorable factors may increase the risk of loss of mechanical strength and elasticity of the vessels, which contributes to the formation of an aneurysm:
- obesity;
- reception of hormonal contraceptives;
- alcohol abuse;
- smoking.
Aneurysm of the brain - symptoms
Depending on the size, aneurysm of the cerebral vessels, the symptoms may be pronounced or remain unnoticed for the patient. The clinical picture is caused by squeezing the anatomical sites located near the vascular bulge and the impairment of nerve impulses, depends on the localization. The main clinical manifestations are often:
- Pain in the head - characterized by varying duration and intensity, often occur paroxysmally (in some cases, there is a connection with increased pressure). Localization of soreness depends on the area of the lesion. In this case, if the focus is deep, the pain is less intense, and, on the contrary, surface defects provoke severe pain.
- Sleep disorders - when the focus affects the zone responsible for monitoring sleep, it may develop insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, drowsiness during the day, etc.
- Nausea, the urge to vomit - such symptoms are more typical for superficial formations, as well as large aneurysms, which cause increased intracranial pressure. The peculiarity of these sensations is that they are not associated with the intake of food, are not eliminated by taking medications, vomiting does not bring relief.
- Visual disturbance - with abnormal vascular changes in the field of optic nerves, partial or complete loss of vision, strabismus, double vision, cloudiness, "veil" before the eyes, etc., may occur.
- Cramps - uncontrolled muscle contractions can appear when the superficial sections of the brain are squeezed by a large bulge on the arteries.
- Violation of cognitive abilities - memory impairment, ability to absorb new information, to think logically, read, count, etc.
- Psychological disorders - frequent changes in the emotional mood, irritability, excessive anxiety.
- Numbness of the facial areas, weakness of the facial muscles.
Aneurysm of the brain aorta - symptoms
Aneurysm of the brain sometimes affects the branches of the aorta - the largest arterial vessel in the body. Among the manifestations of this pathology, patients often note oppressive-discomforting discomfort sensations in different parts of the head associated with increased intracranial pressure. In addition, dizziness, a decrease in pulse, and sweating are also often observed. Sometimes there is a slight sensation of tingling in the head in the area of injury.
Sacrum cerebral artery aneurysm
The form of the disease, in which the formed defect resembles a blood-filled sac and is formed due to local damage to one of the vascular layers, is the most common. In this case, a vortex is formed in the bloodstream, the movement of blood slows down, there is a threat of blood clots. The signs of cerebral aneurysm of this type can not be manifested for a long time, up to rupture of protrusion or thrombosis.
Aneurysm of the main artery of the brain
With the defeat of the main (basilar) artery, the pain is localized in the occipital region of the head and in the neck. In addition, an aneurysm of the cerebral artery provokes such manifestations as peripheral paresis of the facial nerve, unilateral worsening of hearing, noise in the ear resembling a breath of wind. Because the main artery supplies blood to the cerebellum and the variolium bridge, then with insufficient blood supply to these departments, dizziness, hearing impairment, and coordination disorders may occur.
Aneurysm of the carotid artery of the brain
Characteristic signs of an aneurysm of the brain localized on the carotid artery include such manifestations as noise and ringing in the ears, intense headaches, dizziness, problems with visual perception. During palpation and examination, if it is superficially positioned, an abnormal pulsating swelling is noticeable, in the area of which there is a slight soreness.
Aneurysm of cerebral vessels - consequences
The prolonged existence of cerebral aneurysms and compression of the frontal lobes often leads to cerebral atrophy in this area. As a result, there is a gradual increasing cognitive decline, manifested in changes in behavior, personal characteristics. An aneurysm of the brain, the symptoms of the effects of tissue compression due to which it is not possible to correct the deteriorating vision, leads to damage to the optic nerve.
Rupture of cerebral aneurysms
With the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysm, any emotional or physical overstrain, a jump in blood pressure, bad habits can quickly provoke a most dangerous consequence - the rupture of blood-filled vascular formation. As a result, there is a hemorrhage in the brain tissue or intracranial space, the blood begins to exert pressure on this zone, and this leads to disruption of various functions.
Sometimes the rupture of an aneurysm of cerebral vessels with an undetected surgical intervention can lead to a lethal outcome. Recognize the moment of the gap can be on the following key features:
- sudden severe headache;
- a feeling of nausea;
- profuse vomiting;
- loss of consciousness.
Rupture of cerebral aneurysms - consequences
In other cases, the rupture of cerebral aneurysms may be less deplorable, but after a hemorrhage into the brain, a person often becomes disabled. Diagnosed with this complication can be:
- hemorrhagic stroke ;
- hydrocephalus;
- vasospasm;
- coma;
- irreversible brain damage, etc.
Treatment of an aneurysm of the brain
It is important to know that modern medicine does not have effective conservative methods for getting rid of cerebral aneurysms. Therefore, when identifying such a dangerous disease, it is better not to risk and not test for yourself neither folk remedies, nor any other alternative technologies, often offered not by doctors, but by charlatans. Effective treatment of cerebral aneurysms can be performed only by surgical manipulation.
In cases where the vascular formation is small, does not cause significant deviations, patients are advised to wait and observe tactics, which provides for a regular visit to a neurosurgeon or neurologist, monitoring the magnitude of an aneurysm, tracking its "behavior." In addition, methods that minimize the risk of dangerous consequences are appointed:
- normalization of blood pressure;
- decrease in cholesterol in the blood;
- increased elasticity of the arteries;
- treatment of infectious pathologies;
- rejection of bad habits;
- rationing of physical activity, etc.
Aneurysm of the brain - operation
If an aneurysm of the cerebral vessels is detected, which is often diagnosed by X-ray, tomographic examinations and angiography, it is possible to escape from its complications by means of a neurosurgical operation. Operative treatment in this case is very complex, it is aimed at isolating the cavity of the aneurysm and removing it from the cerebral circulation. The operation to remove an aneurysm of cerebral vessels can be carried out by one of the main methods:
- endovascular occlusion;
- clipping of the aneurysm cervix.
Endovascular surgery of cerebral artery aneurysms
This method is minimally invasive, conducted under general anesthesia. Endovascular embolization of an aneurysm of the cerebral vessels involves the introduction through one of the distant suction vessels of a flexible catheter gradually progressing to the pathological site under the control of the x-ray apparatus. Further, a microspiral is inserted into the aneurysm cavity from the catheter, causing clogging and death of the formation. The advantage of this technique is the possibility of access to deep-seated vessels, application even after aneurysm rupture.
Cloning of cerebral aneurysms
When an aneurysm of the cerebral vessels lies not deep or when urgent intervention after a hemorrhage is required, an open surgery is performed. This technique involves opening the cranium and isolating the formation from the blood flow by establishing a special metal clip on its neck. As a result, the cavity of vascular protrusion gradually dies down with further replacement by its connective tissue.
The operation requires high-quality microsurgical equipment, an operating microscope. If the intervention is carried out after the aneurysm of the cerebral vessels has ruptured, the operation involves draining the formed intracerebral hematoma and liquidating the blood in the region of the subarachnoid space.
Aneurysm of the brain - consequences after surgery
Even as a result of successful successful surgical intervention, in which the aneurysm of the cerebral vessels is eliminated, the consequences after the operation can be remote. Complications are associated with a reaction to an anesthetic drug, damage to the vascular walls, incomplete removal of blood clots, etc. In this regard, patients can develop:
- deterioration of the blood supply to the brain tissue;
- thrombosis;
- cerebral edema;
- the appearance of a new aneurysm;
- infectious process;
- violation of speech, hearing, sight, etc.
Nevertheless, the risk of conducting an operation is justified in most cases. Life after clipping of an aneurysm of cerebral vessels, as well as after an endovascular operation, has some limitations and recommendations. Many patients need a long period of rehabilitation with physiotherapy, the use of medication, repeated operations.