A brain aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in a weakened blood vessel in the brain. If the aneurysm grows to a certain size, it can burst, causing bleeding into the brain (called a subarachnoid hemorrhage).

A ruptured aneurysm requires immediate medical treatment, as it quickly becomes life-threatening. Treatment for an unruptured brain aneurysm may be appropriate in some cases and may prevent a rupture in the future.

Norton Neuroscience Institute offers the latest advanced treatments for aneurysms.

Brain Aneurysm Causes and Risk Factors

People are not born with brain aneurysms — they usually develop at some point in life.

Factors associated with increased risk for aneurysm formation or increased risk for bleeding from an aneurysm are:

• Family history of brain aneurysms
• High blood pressure
• Smoking

Brain Aneurysm Symptoms

The primary symptom of an aneurysm is sudden onset of what often is described as the worst headache of a person’s life. Other associated symptoms may include:

• Blurred or double vision
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light
• Stiff neck

Types of Brain Aneurysms

Ruptured aneurysm: A hole in the aneurysm wall from an initial bleed; the goal is to fix the aneurysm so it can’t bleed again.

Unruptured aneurysm: If an aneurysm is thought to be at relatively high risk for rupturing in the future (aneurysms bigger than 6 to 7 millimeters in diameter, aneurysms in certain locations, aneurysms in smokers or in those with family history of aneurysms), it can be treated before it ruptures.

Brain Aneurysm Treatment at Norton Neuroscience Institute

Norton Neuroscience Institute offers cutting-edge medical care for aneurysms.

The specialists at Norton Neuroscience Institute are leaders in the emerging field of endovascular neurosurgery, which allows the surgeon to treat many neurological conditions with minimally invasive technique.

Endovascular treatment often is the first treatment option for aneurysms. The procedure entails threading a small plastic catheter from the leg artery all the way into the arteries of the brain and into the aneurysm, using the following different types of techniques:

• Aneurysm clipping
• Aneurysm coiling
• Pipeline embolization surgery

In some cases, traditional surgery is recommended over endovascular techniques.

Leading the Region in Neurological Care

• Breakthrough essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease treatment: We are the first health care system in Kentucky  to offer high-frequency focused ultrasound to treat these conditions without any incisions.
• Slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease: We are the first health care system in Kentucky to offer lecanemab and a leader nationally in the application of this cutting-edge drug.
• Highest level of stroke care
  • Four Norton Healthcare adult-service hospitals are DNV-certified for stroke care, reflecting the highest standards in rapid treatment and outcomes.
  • Four adult-service hospitals have earned American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines awards for exceptional stroke care, including multiple Gold Plus and Honor Roll designations.
• More than 75 medical, surgical and research specialists collaborate to provide innovative treatment of brain, spine and nervous system conditions.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute’s multiple sclerosis (MS) program has met the high standards to achieve Center for Comprehensive MS Care designation by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• The National Association of Epilepsy Centers has recognized Norton Neuroscience Institute Comprehensive Epilepsy Center as a Level 4 center, providing the highest level of medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.
• Norton Neuroscience Institute Resource Center navigators help educate patients and their families about new diagnoses, available treatments and ways to manage their disease.
• Medicare, Medicaid and most major commercial insurance accepted; families with income equal to or less than 350% of the federal poverty level may be eligible for financial assistance.
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