Diagnosis of cerebral aneurysm in Germany

Hospitalization and treatment under the compulsory medical insurance quota. More details after viewing the pictures.

A cerebral aneurysm is a local protrusion of the arterial walls. The disease often occurs without symptoms. As the brain aneurysm grows, a significant thinning of the walls of the formation occurs, which can lead to its rupture and the development of hemorrhagic stroke.

Depending on the shape, a cerebral aneurysm can be spindle-shaped or saccular. The exact type of disease can only be determined during a comprehensive diagnosis. Saccular aneurysm is much more common.

Causes of the disease

An aneurysm is a dangerous condition that primarily requires surgical treatment. Otherwise, complications will not be avoided. Experts believe that the disease is a consequence of developmental abnormalities that disrupt the structure of the vascular wall. Often, a cerebral aneurysm is combined with connective tissue dysplasia, polycystic kidney disease, and vascular disorders. The acquired form of the disease can be a consequence of traumatic brain injury. Also, a cerebral aneurysm occurs against the background of atherosclerosis and hypertension.

The vascular wall defect itself occurs gradually. Against the background of degenerative processes, tissue damage or underdevelopment, the area loses its former elasticity. Under the pressure of blood flow, the vascular wall begins to bulge. This is how a brain aneurysm forms. Most often, the formation occurs in the place where the arteries branch and there is the strongest pressure on the vessel wall.

Types of cerebral aneurysms

By development:

• True aneurysms (the area of ​​the vessel evenly expands).
• False aneurysms (a hematoma is formed that communicates with the lumen of the vessel).

To size:

• Most aneurysms are small - less than 11 mm.
• Rarely, aneurysms reach 11–25 mm in diameter - average size .
• Aneurysms with a diameter exceeding 25 mm are called giant .

There are three types of aneurysms based on their shape:

• A saccular aneurysm is a round sac of blood attached by its neck to an artery, or perhaps to the site of a branch of a vessel. This is the most common form of cerebral artery aneurysm. More often they form in adults.
• A lateral aneurysm looks like a tumor on the wall of a blood vessel.
• Fusiform aneurysm is a diffuse expansion of the vessel wall over a significant extent.

According to the clinical course:

• Asymptomatic aneurysm (does not cause symptoms and is detected incidentally).
• Unruptured aneurysms (symptoms of compression of the brain and cranial nerves).
• Ruptured aneurysm (signs of intracranial bleeding).

Symptoms of an aneurysm

Two variants of the course of the disease can be distinguished: apoplexy and tumor-like. The characteristics of the clinical picture depend on the types of aneurysm. The tumor-like form of the disease is accompanied by an active course. In a short period of time, the aneurysm increases in size and compresses important anatomical structures of the brain.

A tumor-like aneurysm is most often localized in the area of ​​the cavernous sinus or chiasm. When the chiasmal region is damaged, visual acuity decreases. Over a long period of time, optic nerve atrophy occurs. If a cerebral aneurysm is located in the cavernous sinus, paresis occurs and damage to the branches of the trigeminal nerve occurs. As the pathology develops, oculomotor disturbances occur and strabismus may appear.

Signs of a ruptured aneurysm

A sharp headache is the first symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. The pain syndrome is initially local in nature. But very quickly the headache spreads and becomes diffuse. In this case, patients note the appearance of nausea and repeated vomiting.

In the future, characteristic meningeal symptoms arise:

• stiffness of the neck muscles;
• Kernig's and Brudzinski's symptoms;
• loss of consciousness.

When a cerebral aneurysm ruptures, subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs. It may be accompanied by focal symptoms, which depend on the location of the formation. The most severe is hemorrhage into the ventricles, which often leads to the death of the patient.

With an aneurysm of the anterior cerebral artery, leg paresis develops, which is often combined with mental disorders. Damage to the middle cerebral artery leads to speech impairment and the development of hemiparesis.

If the pathology is localized in the area of ​​the vertebrobasilar system, during the rupture of the aneurysm, swallowing disorders occur, nystagmus develops in combination with central paresis of the face and trigeminal nerve.

At the first sign of a possible aneurysm, you should immediately seek emergency medical help. It is important to maintain physical rest and avoid overexertion. Specialists will conduct an examination, diagnose, make an accurate diagnosis, and prescribe the necessary medications to reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.

Clinical manifestations of complications in subarachnoid hemorrhage

After suffering a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a rupture of a cerebral artery aneurysm, the patient may experience complications. Such complications include:

• thrombophlebitis with pulmonary embolism
• stress-induced perforated duodenal ulcer
• ECG changes indicating myocardial infarction or ischemia

Subarachnoid hemorrhage in the cranial cavity triggers increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This causes myofibrillar degeneration of the heart muscle (myocardium). When an aneurysm ruptures with subarachnoid hemorrhage, cardiac arrhythmia may develop. For such patients, beta-blockers are recommended. Their use in patients should be carried out with caution, especially in the presence of atrioventricular block. A possible complication for the patient is a decrease in the level of sodium in the blood plasma (hyponatremia). Hyponatremia occurs when there is inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or secretion of natriuretic hormone. Treatment of such patients is limited to free fluid restriction while maintaining sufficient intravascular volume.

How is it diagnosed?

Since an arterial aneurysm can occur without significant symptoms, it is necessary to pay special attention to the first signs in women and men. A neurologist must diagnose the disease based on the examination, the diagnostic results obtained and the study of cerebrospinal fluid.

During a neurological examination, focal and meningeal symptoms are detected. Based on the location of complaints, it is possible to determine presumably where the pathological focus is located.

The neurologist obtains accurate information about the patient’s condition using the following studies:

• X-ray of the skull. A cerebral aneurysm is characterized by signs of bone tissue destruction.
• Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
• Angiography. Basic information about the location, shape and size of the brain aneurysm can be obtained.
• Lumbar puncture. The study reveals blood in the cerebrospinal fluid, which indicates the presence of hemorrhage.

Specialists carry out differential diagnosis of cerebral aneurysm. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis in a short time. This will avoid the adverse effects of a brain aneurysm. It is necessary to differentiate an aneurysm from tumor-like processes, cysts and abscesses.

Principles of treatment

Aneurysm treatment is carried out by a neurologist. The operation is performed only by a neurosurgeon. Surgical methods are aimed primarily at preventing aneurysm rupture, which can result in the death of the patient. Conservative therapy for this pathology is used to slow the progression of the disease.

Surgical treatment of a cerebral aneurysm involves two types of main operations: clipping and endovascular occlusion. Surgery prevents the aneurysm from rupturing. A radical method of treatment is the removal of arteriovenous malformation during a microsurgical operation.

Aneurysm clipping

Aneurysm clipping is an open operation during which the neurosurgeon blocks blood flow in a certain area of ​​the vessel and applies a clip. At the stage of preparation for surgery, specialists prescribe a procedure that allows them to stabilize the patient’s condition and minimize the risk of possible complications. Preventive examination makes it possible to identify possible disorders and diseases that can lead to adverse consequences of surgical intervention.

The operation is performed using modern microsurgical techniques through a small trepanation hole. During surgery, the neurosurgeon prevents rupture of the wall of the malformation.

After isolating the neck of the aneurysm, the specialist places a clip on it. Additional control with Doppler ultrasound allows you to assess the state of blood flow and ensure the effectiveness of the operation.

Treatment of an aneurysm using the clipping method is considered quite complex and should only be performed by an experienced neurosurgeon. A qualified specialist will do everything possible to ensure accurate and technically correct application of the clip. Otherwise, dangerous complications and a long rehabilitation period cannot be avoided.

The clip is applied to the neck of the aneurysm vessel. The accuracy of the neurosurgeon’s actions is confirmed by conducting high-quality diagnostics (Dopplerography) during the procedure.

Endovascular occlusion

During endovascular occlusion of an aneurysm, the neurosurgeon blocks the lumen of the dilated vessel with a special implant. The operation is used when clipping is not possible, for example, when the aneurysm is spindle-shaped. During surgery, a specialist inserts a catheter balloon through the femoral artery using angiographic control. It closes the lumen of the aneurysm. You can also use a microspiral to perform thrombosis. The choice remains with the attending physician. The microspiral in the cavity of the affected vascular area forms blood clots, which clog the lumen of the vessel and shut off the aneurysms from the blood circulation.

results

The results of patient treatment are presented in the table.

Results of treatment of patients with large and giant aneurysms of the SBB Note. OA - basilar artery, VA - vertebral artery, PICA - posterior inferior cerebellar artery, SMA - superior cerebellar artery, FD - flow diverter, flow-directing stent, AS - assisting stent, stent used for assistance.

In 7 patients, it was possible to achieve immediate exclusion of the aneurysm from the blood flow or a marked slowdown of blood flow in the aneurysm. In 6 cases, no increase in neurological symptoms was noted. In 1 patient with a combination of PICA aneurysm and AVM, increased diplopia was noted in the early postoperative period. A patient with a fusiform aneurysm of the middle and lower third of the trunk of the basilar artery, with a volumetric effect on the pons, was planned to implant a flow-directing stent into an assisting stent (with the aim of maximizing positioning of the flow-directing stent only in the area of ​​the artery defect, assisting (in a relatively unchanged area) - the upper third main artery). In the early postoperative period (day 1), the patient developed symptoms of ischemic damage to the brain stem caused by thrombosis of the perforating branches of the basilar artery, which led to the patient’s death on the 3rd day after surgery.

In 2 cases, due to persistent symptoms, the second stage of surgery was performed, which consisted of decompressive trepanation of the posterior cranial fossa and removal of the aneurysm sac, which exerts a compressive effect on the brain stem (Fig. 2).

Rice. 2. Giant aneurysm of the right superior cerebellar artery. a, b, c — MRI in coronal, sagittal and axial projections, T1 mode V.I. A giant aneurysm sac is visualized, roughly compressing the brain stem; d — SCT angiography, the white arrow indicates the filling part of the aneurysm; d — stage of the operation to remove thrombotic masses from the aneurysm cavity. Intraoperative photo. AA—aneurysm sac, Cer—cerebellum; e — SCT of the brain after surgery, there is a significant decrease in the size of the aneurysmal sac with a decrease in trunk compression.

Long-term results were monitored in 5 patients from 3 to 48 months after surgery. In 4 patients there was almost complete regression of existing symptoms. According to control cerebral angiography, the aneurysm does not fill in 4 patients, and slight filling remains in 1 patient. All patients also underwent a control MRI of the brain, according to which a decrease in aneurysm size was noted in 3, and no change in size in 2.

Rehabilitation after surgical treatment of an aneurysm

The rehabilitation period takes place under the supervision of specialists. Professionals do everything necessary to prevent the occurrence of postoperative complications. The patient remains in the intensive care unit for several days under the constant supervision of specialists. Afterwards, the patient is transferred to a general ward, where strict bed rest must be observed for some time. The return to a normal lifestyle occurs gradually.

If the patient's well-being worsens after surgery, transcranial Doppler ultrasound may be prescribed. Rehabilitation is aimed primarily at preventing vasospasm and increased blood pressure. Specialists also monitor the general condition of the cardiovascular system and, if necessary, prescribe osmodiuretics to eliminate swelling of the brain tissue. Additionally, anti-inflammatory therapy is carried out.

Rehabilitation after surgical treatment of an aneurysm necessarily includes a program to restore impaired body functions and further socialize the patient. The recovery period lasts at least 6 months. With the help of high-quality rehabilitation, it is possible, among other things, to eliminate the adverse consequences of surgical treatment.

Rehabilitation measures include physiotherapy, massage, and the implementation of an individually selected rehabilitation program. After endoscopic clipping, the patient can return to normal life within a few weeks.

Forecast for life

The prognosis of the disease depends on the location of the vascular protrusion and its size. The initial condition of the patient also has a huge impact. The mortality rate in case of rupture of a cerebral aneurysm exceeds 30-50%. Surviving patients sometimes retain the consequences of the condition in the form of movement restrictions, cognitive impairment and a significant decrease in quality of life. Mortality after recurrent hemorrhage exceeds 70%.

Therefore, it is so important to carry out surgical treatment in time, turning to a qualified neurosurgeon. The operation is postponed only if there are certain medical indications.

Successful neurosurgical operations are carried out at the Burdenko Research Institute. Patients with signs of an aneurysm or suspected aneurysm are admitted here. At the Institute of Neurosurgery, it is possible to carry out comprehensive diagnostics using the latest technology and further treatment of identified diseases.