ICA Aneurysm

Posted by brissa2 @brissa2, Mar 27 11:47am

I just had my cerebral angiogram yesterday. This was my doctor's notes. Multiple runs in multiple views including high magnification views showed a 7.1 x 4.5 mm aneurysm of the right posterior communicating artery with a daughter sac. 3D reconstruction was performed at a separate workstation.

Selectively, the right external carotid artery was catheterized. The wire was removed. System was flushed. Flow was checked. Multiple runs in multiple views including high magnification views showed no aneurysm, AVM, AVF or other vascular abnormalities, mean transient time was normal.

He told me i could try stenting or clipping. he gave me pros and cons of each. Bottom line i have a 7mm size aneurysm with a daughter sac and at a PComA location. Any advice from others. i am so confused and scared. Im waiting to see if I can get a second opinion from a doctor at Mayo

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eaoneill4771 | @eaoneill4771 | Mar 28 7:25am

Get a second opinion and know that your health is your call.
I am praying for you. I have a narrowing that cannot be fix so I have to live with the pain.
I pray this gives you relief and peace knowing that God is with you in this situation, my friend.

Maryann | @mkoch | Mar 29 7:15pm

I am assuming your aneurysm is too wide at the base to allow a coiling procedure, since you didn't list that as an alternative that the doctor listed pros and cons for. I had the coiling procedure in my left, posterior communicating artery, a 3 1/2 surgical intervention under a general, and it was kind of easy, relatively, the worst part being I hate going under a general. As I mentioned, some aneurysms aren't amenable to coiling but if you have a neurosurgeon you absolutely trust, it makes getting through whatever surgical intervention is decided upon much easier. You didn't mention it, but I'd be surprised if the neurosurgeon didn't express an opinion regarding which procedure, stenting or clipping, would be his/her preference. Getting a 2nd opinion is never a negative. Good luck.

brissa2 | @brissa2 | Apr 3 6:01pm

My original doctor called me back and after looking at my films again, he thinks he can do the WEB procedure on me. However, the angle of my aneurysm may be a problem and if he can't fit it, he will do the flow diverter.

So I just had my 2nd opinion appointment. I was very impressed with the doctor and he thinks the best would be coiling with flow diverters and stents.He does not like the idea of the WEB procedure because of the angle of my aneurysm and feels that even if it is placed inside, it will not be a tight seal. He also said my walls are weak and he doesn't like trying to fit something that may not.

I think I feel more confident with my 2nd opinion doctor, (who is from Mayo) but he is not the one that did the angiogram. Would that worry anyone?

Maryann | @mkoch | Apr 4 3:12pm

I think your second opinion is spot on. The results of my angiogram are on-line digitally in "My Chart" for myself and other health care providers to review. It is quite lenghty and detailed and I would think the Mayo doctor would have access to review the data associated with your angiogram and therefore you wouldn't have to be concerned about the fact that he did not actually perform the procedure. Your experience is an example of why it is always good to get a second opinion. You're in good hands with the Mayo health organization.