Brain Aneurysm

A brain aneurysm is an abnormal buldge or "balloon" in the wall of an artery in the brain.  This ballooning weakens the vessels and the aneurysm can rupture or burst and cause bleeding into the brain.

Learn more about the symptoms of a brain aneurysm and what to look for.

Types of brain aneurysms:

  • Saccular (berry) aneurysm - this is a single sided artery bulge, occurring in 90 percent of cerebral aneurysms. This type of aneurysm looks like a "berry" with a narrow stem. More than one aneurysm may be present. 
  • Fusiform aneurysm - bulges out on all sides (circumferentially), forming a dilated artery. Fusiform aneurysms are often associated with atherosclerosis.
  • Dissecting aneurysm - results from a tear along the length of the artery in the inner layer of the artery wall, causing blood to leak in between the layers of the wall.
  • Giant aneurysm - can involve more than one artery
  • Mycotic aneurysm - caused by infected artery wall, rare