A cerebral aneurysm is a weakened section in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain that bulges or balloons out. Possible causes of cerebral aneurysm include: a defect in the blood vessel wall present at birth or developing during life as a result of  trauma or atherosclerosis (fatty deposits on the arterial walls).

A ruptured or burst aneurysm causes bleeding around or within the brain and presents with sudden headache, vomiting, neck stiffness and may affect mental skills and bodily functions and may, in serious cases, lead to severe brain damage, stroke, coma or death.

A small aneurysm may produce no symptoms but as it grows it might cause neurological problems like double vision, blindness, weakness, facial numbness or seizures.

Diagnosis of a cerebral aneurysm is made using CT scan, angiography (injection of a dye into vessel) or MRI. Sometimes a lumbar puncture (tap) might be necessary, if the blood is not seen on CT scan.

Surgical Clipping allows us to visualise the aneurysm and surrounding vessels and to remove the blood clot. The skull is opened surgically (craniotomy) and the aneurysm is isolated from the parent blood vessel using a small metal clip that seals off the aneurysm.

Endovascular Coiling is another form of treatment that avoids the need to open the skull. A catheter (a small, flexible tube) is inserted into an artery in the groin and gently pushed up to the brain similar to what is done during angiography. At the site of the aneurysm, the catheter releases soft wire coils that block the aneurysm from inside. Sometimes a tiny balloon or stent is needed to help hold the coils in place.