What is Aneurysm? An aneurysm is a serious medical condition where a part of a blood vessel swells like a balloon due to damage or weakness in the vessel wall. It can occur at any age and in any part of the body, but it is most commonly found in the brain.

Brain Aneurysm
The brain receives oxygen through a network of arteries called the Circle of Willis, located at its base. When a junction point in these arteries is weak or damaged, the vessel swells into a sac-like structure called an aneurysm. As the aneurysm grows, the risk of rupture increases, which can cause severe hemorrhage in and around the brain. This can lead to serious complications and even death; around 40% of ruptured aneurysms are fatal.

Causes
There is no single defined cause for aneurysms. However, certain medical and hereditary factors increase the risk. People with high blood pressure, infected artery walls (mycotic aneurysm), past trauma, tumors, strokes, or drug abuse have a higher risk. Those with a family history of aneurysms and chain smokers are also more susceptible.

Symptoms
Aneurysms are often silent and may show no symptoms. When symptoms appear, they depend on the size, growth rate, and location. Common symptoms include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness, seizures, blurred vision, and facial numbness.

Treatment
Earlier, surgery was the only treatment option, as patients were usually diagnosed at very critical stages. Today, two treatment methods are available: surgical clipping and endovascular coiling. In surgical clipping, the neck of the aneurysm is clipped. In endovascular coiling, a catheter is used to reach the aneurysm inside the brain and block blood flow to it.

Here is how Dr. S. Ikbal Siddique and Dr. Gopal Acharia, Neurosurgeons at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Barasat, Kolkata, treated a patient through surgical clipping:

Mrs. Archana Chandra, 31, from Barasat, was experiencing severe headache, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. A CT scan revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured swollen artery. She was rushed to NH Barasat, where doctors performed detailed evaluation before surgery. Despite the lengthy and challenging procedure, the surgery was successful. She was monitored in the ICU until stable and was later discharged.

Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Barasat, Kolkata offers such complex neurosurgical procedures with advanced infrastructure at a cost significantly lower than many other major hospitals.