Brain Aneurysm: Causes, Symptoms, Risks & Treatment

By Dashvanth Healthcare Medical Team · Reviewed by our specialists · East Delhi

What Is a Brain Aneurysm?

A brain (intracranial) aneurysm is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel wall in the brain. Most are small and cause no symptoms — discovered incidentally on imaging. Rupture causes subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), a life-threatening emergency.

Who Is at Risk?

• Family history of aneurysm or SAH
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Smoking (doubles rupture risk)
• Women (higher incidence than men)
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Connective tissue disorders (Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos)

Symptoms of Unruptured Aneurysm

Most are silent. Large aneurysms can press on structures: eye pain, pupil dilation, vision changes, or facial numbness.

Rupture: Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Characterised by a sudden, severe "thunderclap headache" — the worst headache of one's life. Associated with nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness, photophobia, and loss of consciousness. CT scan and lumbar puncture confirm diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Endovascular Coiling

A catheter is threaded from the groin to the aneurysm. Platinum coils are packed inside to block blood flow and promote clotting. No open surgery needed — faster recovery. Dr. Simranjeet Singh at Dashvanth specialises in this technique.

Surgical Clipping

Craniotomy to place a metal clip at the aneurysm neck, excluding it from circulation. Preferred for some aneurysm morphologies.

Flow Diversion

A pipeline stent is placed in the parent artery, diverting blood flow away from the aneurysm — for large or complex aneurysms.