Unruptured Brain Aneurysm

@aigul29: A neurosurgeon who specializes in aneurysms is your best friend and the one who will give you the correct answer to the question you are asking. I've had both an aneurysm and a meningioma taking up real estate in my brain. At the teaching university/hospital I go to one neurosurgeon who specializes in aneurysms did my coiling procedure, and a different neurosurgeon who specializes in meningiomas did that surgery. But while waiting for my aneurysm repair I was advised to not hang upside down and my keep blood pressure at 130 or below.

If the aneurysm is an ophthalmic segment internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm in the C6 segment. What are the risks of that location?

@tressy: The aneurysm I had coiled a year and a half ago was 5.5ish and the neurosurgeon I consulted with said that anything over 5 mm. is when you should look into having the aneurysm repaired. But as "minnmitzi" stated, location also plays a big part in deciding what to do, as well as one's age/state of health.

@tressy Sorry to hear about your Mom's medical challenge. It will be a challenge for you and your Dad as well. I do not know at what point cerebral aneurysms are considered to be candidates for surgical repair. However, I do know that in addition to size, its location and position are factors, too. In my case, I was told because it is located in the boney "cavern" at the base of the skull it has lower risk for leakage. So, both size and location were important in deciding about surgical repair. Wishing your Mom and all your family well in this.

@minnmitzi hello, my mom has been recently diagnosed with 3 cerebral aneurysms and has been advised to have them surgically repaired. My question is at what size are aneurysms considered for surgery. My dad wants her to get a second opinion. Thanks!

@lisalucier thank you! I’m doing well. I have some after effects that will hopefully lessen or go away. Having the Dr up in my brain three times, well actually four bc he went into the left and right sides this past surgery. All within a nine month period was really tough. Thank you for asking and switching me over to the correct group! ❤️🧠

Hi @lisa930 - I moved your post here so you could return to where you were chatting with others such as @smilton @mkoch @srodriguez25 and others about your unruptured brain aneurysms.

How has your recovery gone since your surgery three weeks ago?

Hello Friends! I have five brain aneurysms. Long story about how they were all found (thankfully before one ruptured). I’ve had three surgeries to treat them. One coiled, one clamped and three with the pipeline embolism devices. I would really like to hear from someone that’s had this similar situation. And how they are doing. My last surgery was just three weeks ago. Thanks! Lisa

@smilton, I agree with your advise above. Adding one more: No smoking (even second-hand smoke exposure) vàping. Monitor blood pressure (with a wrist BP cuff or Apple health wristwatch), and yes, smile and ðon't let anyone or anything get inside your head and ness/stress you up. Safe travels, safe procedure, and smooth recovery!

@srodriguez25: Please read my prior post on this thread and watch the video by Dr. Omar Chouddhri at the Univ. of Penn. Sometimes I wonder if he made that 35 minute video for people whose neurosurgeons don't offer a lot of information and shut down questions. I had a 5.5 aneurysm coiled 10 months ago at the Univ. of Calif. in San Francisco. At my 6 month post-procedure video visit (after learning everything looked good and asking a few follow-up visits) I said, "Ok. Thank you for your time. I know you're very busy so I'll let you go." Dr. Winkler's response ( a neurosurgeon who specializes in aneurysms) said, "No, no. That's what I'm here for. After we hang up if you remember something you forgot to ask call Sharon (his scheduler) and I'll get back to you." Given that back story I'll offer my opinion on what I would tell my sister should she be in your situation. First of all, your in-network doctor was a jerk. But he did ask for a second chance. It is encouraging that you found out that the neuro doc you saw for a second opinion was your in-network doctor's mentor. Probably "Doctor Jerk" is well trained and would feel a sense of doing his best knowing that you had consulted with his mentor. Secondly, after you watch the video by Dr. Chouddhri I think you'll be convinced that active surveillance (also called watch-and-wait) should not be a choice for you. Yours is not a miniscule aneurysm. The rule of thumb is about 5mm or more should be seriously considered for an intervention whether it be coiling, stenting, or clipping. I would suggest you go with the 2nd neurosurgeon but he's out of network and my coiling procedure was over $50,000 so do you really want to take that kind of debt on.