Consequences of a cerebral artery aneurysm | Brain aneurysm

Consequences of a cerebral artery aneurysm

In the best case, an aneurysm is detected and, if it causes symptoms or the risk of rupture is too great, it is successfully eliminated by either coiling or clipping surgery without side effects. Aneurysms with a small diameter that do not cause symptoms should be checked regularly and can last a lifetime without causing problems. In some cases, however, important neurological structures may be damaged during the procedure, or a ruptured aneurysm may bleed into important areas of the brain.

The consequences depend on which area has been damaged. The consequences that can occur after an intervention are almost always neurological in nature. They range from speech disorders to visual disturbances to gait disorders or complete paralysis to coma.

Relatively often, slight gait insecurities and a disturbance of fine motor skills occur. However, these problems can usually be remedied within several weeks of rehabilitation in a neurological rehabilitation clinic. If an aneurysm ruptures, this is a life-threatening emergency.

Frequently, a massive haemorrhage causes so much damage to the brain that the patient loses consciousness permanently. In this case, the fastest possible transport to a hospital with neurosurgery is necessary in order to be able to perform an imaging of the brain as well as the fastest possible therapy.If the rupture of an aneurysm is survived, a 6-8 week follow-up treatment is necessary after the hospital stay. This is mainly characterized by physiotherapeutic and occupational therapy.

If the patient complains about speech problems after an aneurysm haemorrhage or a surgical intervention, a large part of the rehabilitation is also carried out by a speech therapist, who is supposed to ensure that the corresponding speech and language habits are restored as well as possible. Further consequences of an aneurysm haemorrhage as well as an operation are the aftercare. During the first months, regular follow-up care by a neurologist or neurosurgeon should be maintained.

Furthermore, risk factors should be eliminated or reduced if possible. Nicotine consumption should be avoided completely if possible, since the clip on the vessel could become unstable due to the resulting vasoconstriction. It is also important to have the best possible blood pressure setting; the blood pressure should be checked regularly and, if necessary, a medical treatment for blood pressure must be initiated.

In addition, any existing diabetes mellitus should also be detected and well adjusted, since poorly adjusted diabetes can continue to affect the blood vessels. In general, a healthy lifestyle with regular endurance sports, abstinence from nicotine and a Mediterranean diet helps to prevent all kinds of vascular diseases and their progression, including aneurysm.