What is a Cerebral Aneurysm?
A cerebral (brain) aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain. Most are small and asymptomatic, but a ruptured aneurysm causes subarachnoid haemorrhage – a life-threatening emergency with 40–50% mortality. Dr Simranjeet Singh – with fellowship in Endovascular Neurosurgery – at Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi provides both surgical and endovascular aneurysm treatment.
Types of Cerebral Aneurysms
- Saccular (Berry) Aneurysm (90%): Round bulge on one side of vessel
- Fusiform Aneurysm: Enlargement of entire vessel circumference
- Dissecting Aneurysm: Tear in inner wall of artery
Symptoms of Unruptured Aneurysm
- Usually asymptomatic (found incidentally)
- Headache, vision changes if large
- Oculomotor nerve palsy (drooping eyelid, double vision)
Symptoms of Ruptured Aneurysm
- “Thunderclap” headache: The worst headache of one’s life – sudden onset
- Stiff neck, nausea, vomiting
- Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
- Loss of consciousness
- Focal neurological deficits
Diagnosis
Non-contrast CT (subarachnoid blood), Lumbar puncture (if CT negative but clinical suspicion high), CT angiography or digital subtraction angiography (DSA – gold standard for aneurysm morphology).
Treatment
Surgical Clipping
Open craniotomy with placement of a metal clip across the aneurysm neck, excluding it from circulation permanently.
Endovascular Coiling
Minimally invasive approach through femoral artery. Platinum coils are delivered via catheter into the aneurysm to promote clotting and exclude it from circulation. Dr Simranjeet Singh’s subspecialty training in endovascular neurosurgery provides exceptional expertise in this technique.
Flow Diversion (Pipeline Stent)
For large or complex aneurysms not amenable to clipping or coiling.
Expert aneurysm treatment at Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi: 011-41670042
