THE ANEURYSM

An aneurysm is a localized, blood-filled balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel.

Aneurysms can occur in any blood vessel, with particularly lethal examples including
aneurysms of the Circle of Willis in the brain, aortic aneurysms affecting the thoracic aorta,
and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Aneurysms can arise in the heart itself following a heart
attack, including both ventricular and atrial septal aneurysms.
As an aneurysm increases in size, the risk of rupture increases. A ruptured aneurysm can
lead to bleeding. Aneurysms are a result of a weakened blood vessel wall, and can be a
result of a hereditary condition or an acquired disease. Aneurysms can also be a nidus for
clot formation (thrombosis) and embolization.
Aneurysm presentation may range from life-threatening complications of hypovolemic
shock to being found incidentally on X-ray. Symptoms will differ by the site of the aneurysm
and can include:
Cerebral aneurysm
Symptoms can occur when the aneurysm pushes on a structure in the brain. Symptoms
will depend on whether an aneurysm has ruptured or not. There may be no symptoms
present at all until the aneurysm ruptures. For an aneurysm that has not ruptured the
following symptoms can occur:

Fatigue
Loss of perception
Loss of balance
Speech problems
Double vision
For a ruptured aneurysm, symptoms of a subarachnoid haemorrhage may present:

Severe headaches
Loss of vision
Double vision
Neck pain and/or stiffness
Pain above and/or behind the eyes

Risk factors for an aneurysm include diabetes, obesity, hypertension, tobacco

use, alcoholism, high cholesterol, copper deficiency, increasing age, and
tertiary syphilis infection.
Historically, the treatment of arterial aneurysms has been limited to either surgical
intervention, or watchful waiting in combination with control of blood pressure. In recent
years, endovascular or minimally invasive techniques have been developed for many types
of aneurysms. Aneurysm Clips are used for surgical procedure i.e. clipping of aneurysms.
THE CT/CAT SCAN
The scan is a non-invasive, painless medical procedure. It usually takes approximately 10
to 30 minutes to perform, depending on the part of the body that is being scanned, the
number of pictures taken and the different angles required.
The X-rays from the beams are detected after they have passed through the body and their
strength is measured. Beams that have passed through less dense tissue such as the
lungs will be stronger, whereas beams that have passed through denser tissue such as
bone will be weaker.
The CT scanner was originally designed to take pictures of the brain. Now it is much more
advanced and is used for taking pictures of virtually any part of the body.
They can be used to produce virtual images that show what a surgeon would see during
an operation. They are used for a variety of reasons, mainly because CT imaging is one of
the best and fastest tools for examining the chest, abdomen and pelvis, and because it
can provide cross-sectional views and highly detailed images.
Some of the most common uses of CT imaging include detecting different types of cancer
(for example in the lung, bowel, liver and kidney), examining patients with severe injuries
and finding the cause for sudden rapid onset symptoms (such as breathlessness,
abdominal pain).
CT is also used for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of a number of vascular disease,
which may ultimately lead to stroke, kidney failure or blood clots in the lungs.
In addition, the CT scanner is used to look at internal injuries such as a torn kidney, spleen
or liver; or bony injury, particularly in the spine. CT scanning can also be used to
guide biopsies and therapeutic pain relieving procedures.
MRI REPORT
TYPE OF EXAMINATION: MRI SCAN OF THE SKULL AND CERVICAL SPINE
In the pineal region, left parasagittal plane, a relatively well-delimited cystic lesion of about
14 mm is revealed; it compresses the tectal plate and by its compressive effect also
causes the obstruction of the aqueduct of Sylvius with consecutive obstructive internal
hydrocephalus. A major dilation of the lateral ventricles and the third ventricle with
minimum signs of transependymal resorption is revealed.
Brain sulci are less clearly marked. There are a few punctual non-specific demyelinating
lesions of the white matter in the front and parietal lobes bilaterally, more likely in a
microangiopathy context.
The structures of the medial line are normally positioned.
There are no abnormalities noticed in the basal ganglia, internal capsule, callous body or
the thalamus.
The signal intensity of the cerebral trunk and cerebellum is within the normal range.
When signal intensity is changed, the sella turcica and the juxtasellar region do not present
any structural modifications.
The content of the two orbits has normal signal intensity; however an increased amount of
fluid is noted around the optic nerves as an expression of intracranial hypertension.
Conclusions: A cystic formation in the pineal gland, with a compressive effect on the tectal
plate and the aqueduct of Sylvius, with consecutive active internal hydrocephalus. Ischemic
microangiopathy.