A brain aneurysm that bleeds is a medical emergency, and some unruptured aneurysms carry enough risk that treatment is advised. Aneurysm coiling is one way to treat them from inside the artery, so the skull does not need to be opened.
What is a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm is a bulging or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain caused by a weakened vessel wall. If it ruptures, it can lead to a serious condition called subarachnoid hemorrhage, which requires emergency care.
What is aneurysm coiling?
Aneurysm coiling (also known as endovascular coiling) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat brain aneurysms.
In this procedure:
- A thin catheter is inserted through the groin or wrist
- It is guided to the brain’s blood vessels
- Tiny platinum coils are placed inside the aneurysm
- These coils block blood flow into the aneurysm, preventing rupture
Benefits of aneurysm coiling
✔ Minimally invasive (no open brain surgery) ✔ Faster recovery time ✔ Reduced risk of complications ✔ Shorter hospital stay ✔ Effective in preventing rupture
Symptoms of brain aneurysm
Many aneurysms show no symptoms until rupture, but warning signs may include:
- Severe headache (“worst headache of life”)
- Vision problems
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
Who does the procedure
Coiling is done in a hospital angiography suite by an interventional neurologist or neuroradiologist trained in these procedures. Whether coiling, a flow diverter, surgery or simply watching the aneurysm with scans is the best choice depends on its size, shape and position and on the patient’s health, so the options are discussed after the scans have been reviewed.
References
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. For a suspected stroke or other emergency, call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department.
