Patients with brain aneurysms greatly benefit from the unified specialists of the NorthShore Neurological Institute—including our expert stroke neurologists and neurosurgeons—to both diagnose and treat patients suffering from potential fatal bleeding in the brain.
Brain aneurysms (or cerebral aneurysms) form in weak areas of arteries that provide blood to the brain, often bulging or ballooning out from blood vessel walls. Brain aneurysms do not typically rupture and cause bleeding into the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage). However, if they do, the bleeding that results may lead to serious health problems or even death, without immediate medical attention or proper brain aneurysm treatment.
As a service of our stroke program and in working in unison with other NorthShore specialists, the Acute Stroke Team is uniquely skilled at recognizing and treating brain aneurysms to prevent stroke and other serious medical conditions. Our 24/7 Acute Stroke Team provides immediate acute stroke care and brain aneurysm treatment. And, as Certified Primary Stroke Centers, each of our hospitals meets the stringent requirements of the Joint Commission.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Close collaboration and our state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities allow our fellowship-trained vascular and endovascular specialists to efficiently evaluate patients with brain aneurysms to quickly determine the best course of treatment. The NorthShore Neurological Institute’s brain experts work with NorthShore’s neuroradiologists to use sophisticated diagnostic tools, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with specialized rapid sequences to accurately diagnose bleeding in the brain and its likely cause.
If a ruptured brain aneurysm diagnosis is made our team can determine the best surgical brain aneurysm treatment based on the patient’s individual situation. Our leading-edge surgical options to interrupt bleeding from within the aneurysm and reduce potential brain damage range from:
- Closing off the base of the aneurysm with a metal clip
- Minimally invasive intra-arterial techniques such as endovascular coiling and flow diversion
With the advanced minimally invasive technique, our endovascular specialists guide special coils up through a catheter inserted via a small incision near the groin into the ruptured artery to disrupt the blood flow. Coils fill the aneurysm, which then prevents further bleeding. Our skilled experts have broad experience with this technique, which requires specialized training not found in every hospital.
For More Information
Please call 877.570.7020 for more information on brain aneurysms or to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists