Unruptured Brain Aneurysm

Posted by badnaples @badnaples, Nov 22, 2021

Hello! I recently found out I have a 4mm ACOM during a CT scan, waiting CT angio appointment, question is....live life normally? OK, to travel (fly), exercise etc. Can't get answers from doc, they say all this will be covered during pre-op which is weeks away and in the meantime causing me anxiety not knowing what I should or should not do. Not sure if I have symptoms, various headaches, mild, dull, various areas of the head, but have those often and for long time, and stuffy nose so assume its sinus. Any help is appreciated, suppose to travel in 48 hours. I read all this about rupturing and frightens me. Is it something that would happen suddenly or gradually from a leak. Help! THank you.

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@normahorn

A year ago, a CT scan decided to throw in a bonus since it did not find what it was intended to. I either have a fenestration or an aneurysm in my communicating artery. The CTA was not more definitive. Next month is my 1 year follow-up CTA. Any questions I should ask my neurosurgeon, assuming I get to actually get to see him this time and not his PA? I really want his opinion of whether it is a fenestration or an aneurysm. That does not seem to me like too much to ask.

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MRA is the right test for Brain Aneurysm. That's how I was diagnosed in 2022.
Good luck.
Lee Tsu Lee

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Oh yes, it should have. Then maybe the PA mentioned aneurysm by mistake? Ask to see the neurologist for your next appr

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@raisanicole

Maybe asking for an MRI for a secure diagnosis. If an aneurysm is confirmed, important to know its size and action plan

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Since this was initially found on a cervical CT scan, wouldn't it have shown up in a recent cervical MRI I had?

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@normahorn

A year ago, a CT scan decided to throw in a bonus since it did not find what it was intended to. I either have a fenestration or an aneurysm in my communicating artery. The CTA was not more definitive. Next month is my 1 year follow-up CTA. Any questions I should ask my neurosurgeon, assuming I get to actually get to see him this time and not his PA? I really want his opinion of whether it is a fenestration or an aneurysm. That does not seem to me like too much to ask.

Jump to this post

Maybe asking for an MRI for a secure diagnosis. If an aneurysm is confirmed, important to know its size and action plan

REPLY

A year ago, a CT scan decided to throw in a bonus since it did not find what it was intended to. I either have a fenestration or an aneurysm in my communicating artery. The CTA was not more definitive. Next month is my 1 year follow-up CTA. Any questions I should ask my neurosurgeon, assuming I get to actually get to see him this time and not his PA? I really want his opinion of whether it is a fenestration or an aneurysm. That does not seem to me like too much to ask.

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Thank you all for the prayers, hugs and get well wishes. I had my 6 month post surgery MRA and everything looks great. They said I am totally healed and the aneurysm is gone! So relieved.

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@za5045

A 61-year-old female never had any diagnosis of any kind. I am healthy, and exercise-obsessed) regularly. I was diagnosed a month ago with 4 mm unruptured brain aneurysms on the right and 2mm on the left. I am scheduled for a Catheter angiogram the day after tomorrow. I am terrified! about the process, the result of the procedure, what the worst outcome could be, and its treatment. Any advice please, I would appreciate it greatly.

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I am a 77 yo female with previous heart attack 12 years ago, but always with good BP. I had an MRI finding in May 2024 that I have a 3.9mm x 3.9mm size aneurysm in my right cavernous carotid artery. Took me totally by surprise, though it probably shouldn’t have due to my father’s history of multiple cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the MRI was to evaluate me for mild but constant dizziness that had begun months earlier.
Consult with neurosurgery PA told me that it is considered a cerebral aneurysm, but that it is NOT a cause of my dizziness, that it is considered “benign” and that all they would do at this time is to watch me for symptoms and repeat the MRI annually to watch for increase in size. At 3.9mm I’m on the cusp of small to medium size aneurysm.
I’ve been able to, mostly, put this out of my mind - it may reappear in my thought only a few times a month. Part of that, I think, is due to having numerous other health issues to manage every day. I also have a regular social group with whom I engage weekly, belong to a Bible Study group and a book club and I do volunteer work. In other words, I’m just going about my life as usual. Disappointingly, my dizziness is still there and no one can figure that out - it’s another of my daily challenges.
I truly appreciate this forum to learn about others experiences which helps me to evaluate my own. Thanks to everyone!

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@raisanicole

Hey, sounds like me... 7 mm unruptured aneurysm a year ago. Please be calm and trust the process. I will say that is the most important thing. I was as terrified as you. I read tons and consulted 3 other neurosurgeons before the procedure. Angiogram process is safe and relatively fast. Mine came out ok, but I required a stent due to the size of the aneurysm, which was done later. Everything resulted ok, I am now due for an MRI, this week. The fear is there again, but I must remain calm because anxiety affected me markedly, sadly resulting in other health issues. You will be fine, your aneurysms are small and this is just a diagnostic test. God bless.

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Thank you for sharing your story and your encouragement. I appreciate your help. I will post an update periodically. Good luck and I am sending prayers to you.

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@za5045

A 61-year-old female never had any diagnosis of any kind. I am healthy, and exercise-obsessed) regularly. I was diagnosed a month ago with 4 mm unruptured brain aneurysms on the right and 2mm on the left. I am scheduled for a Catheter angiogram the day after tomorrow. I am terrified! about the process, the result of the procedure, what the worst outcome could be, and its treatment. Any advice please, I would appreciate it greatly.

Jump to this post

Hey, sounds like me... 7 mm unruptured aneurysm a year ago. Please be calm and trust the process. I will say that is the most important thing. I was as terrified as you. I read tons and consulted 3 other neurosurgeons before the procedure. Angiogram process is safe and relatively fast. Mine came out ok, but I required a stent due to the size of the aneurysm, which was done later. Everything resulted ok, I am now due for an MRI, this week. The fear is there again, but I must remain calm because anxiety affected me markedly, sadly resulting in other health issues. You will be fine, your aneurysms are small and this is just a diagnostic test. God bless.

REPLY

A 61-year-old female never had any diagnosis of any kind. I am healthy, and exercise-obsessed) regularly. I was diagnosed a month ago with 4 mm unruptured brain aneurysms on the right and 2mm on the left. I am scheduled for a Catheter angiogram the day after tomorrow. I am terrified! about the process, the result of the procedure, what the worst outcome could be, and its treatment. Any advice please, I would appreciate it greatly.

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