An aneurysm is a localized bulge in a blood vessel wall caused by weakness in the vessel. As an aneurysm increases in size, the risk of rupture increases, which can lead to bleeding. Aneurysms can occur in arteries throughout the body, including the brain, heart, aorta, and kidneys. Symptoms depend on the location of the aneurysm and whether it has ruptured, but may include headaches, vision changes, fatigue, and neck stiffness.
An aneurysm is a localized bulge in a blood vessel wall caused by weakness in the vessel. As an aneurysm increases in size, the risk of rupture increases, which can lead to bleeding. Aneurysms can occur in arteries throughout the body, including the brain, heart, aorta, and kidneys. Symptoms depend on the location of the aneurysm and whether it has ruptured, but may include headaches, vision changes, fatigue, and neck stiffness.
An aneurysm is a localized bulge in a blood vessel wall caused by weakness in the vessel. As an aneurysm increases in size, the risk of rupture increases, which can lead to bleeding. Aneurysms can occur in arteries throughout the body, including the brain, heart, aorta, and kidneys. Symptoms depend on the location of the aneurysm and whether it has ruptured, but may include headaches, vision changes, fatigue, and neck stiffness.
An aneurysm is a localized bulge in a blood vessel wall caused by weakness in the vessel. As an aneurysm increases in size, the risk of rupture increases, which can lead to bleeding. Aneurysms can occur in arteries throughout the body, including the brain, heart, aorta, and kidneys. Symptoms depend on the location of the aneurysm and whether it has ruptured, but may include headaches, vision changes, fatigue, and neck stiffness.
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Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a localized, blood-filled balloon-likebulge in the wall of a blood vessel.[1] Aneurysms
can occur in any blood vessel, with examples including aneurysms of the Circle of Willis in the brain, aortic aneurysms affecting the thoracic aorta, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Aneurysms can also occur within the heart. As an aneurysm increases in size, the risk of rupture increases.[2] 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. The word is fromGreek: , aneurysma, "dilation", from , aneurynein, "to dilate". Contents [hide]
1Classification o
1.1True and false aneurysms
1.2Morphology
1.3Location
2Signs and symptoms
o
2.1Cerebral aneurysm
2.2Abdominal aneurysm
2.3Renal (kidney) aneurysm
3Risk factors
4Pathophysiology
5Diagnosis
6Treatment o
6.1Intracranial aneurysms
6.2Aortic and peripheral aneurysms
6.3Renal aneurysms
7Epidemiology o
7.1Pediatric aneurysms
7.2Risk factors
8Notable cases
9References
10External links
Classification[edit]
Video explaining aneurysms
Aneurysms may be classified by type, morphology, or location.
True and false aneurysms[edit]
A true aneurysm is one that involves all three layers of the wall of an artery (intima, media andadventitia). True aneurysms include atherosclerotic, syphilitic, and congenital aneurysms, as well as ventricular aneurysms that follow transmural myocardial infarctions(aneurysms that involve all layers of the attenuated wall of the heart are also considered true aneurysms).[3] A false aneurysm, or pseudoaneurysm, is a collection of blood leaking completely out of an artery or vein, but confined next to the vessel by the surrounding tissue. This blood-filled cavity will eventually form either thrombose (clot) enough to seal the leak, or rupture out of the surrounding tissue. [3]:357 Pseudoaneurysms can be caused by trauma that punctures the artery, such as knife and bullet wounds,[4] as a result of percutaneous surgical procedures such as coronary angiography or arterial grafting,[5] or use of an artery for injection.[6]
Morphology[edit] Aneurysms can also be classified by their macroscopic shape and size, and are described as either saccular or fusiform. The shape of an aneurysm is not specific for a specific disease. [3]:357
Saccular aneurysms are spherical in shape and involve only a portion of the vessel wall; they vary in size from 5 to 20 cm (8 in) in diameter, and are often filled, either partially or fully, by athrombus.[3]:357 Fusiform aneurysms ("spindle-shaped" aneurysms) are variable in both their diameter and length; their diameters can extend up to 20 cm (8 in). They often involve large portions of the ascending and transverse aortic arch, the abdominal aorta, or less frequently the iliac arteries.[3]:357
Location[edit] Aneurysms can also be classified by their location:
Arterial and venous, with arterial being more common.[citation needed]
The heart, including coronary artery aneurysms, ventricular aneurysms, aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva, and aneurysms following cardiac surgery.
The aorta, namely aortic aneurysms includingthoracic aortic aneurysms and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
The brain, including cerebral aneurysms, berry aneurysms, and CharcotBouchard
aneurysms.
The legs, including the popliteal arteries.[citation needed]
The kidney, including renal artery aneurysm and intraparechymal aneurysms.[7]
Capillaries, specifically capillary aneurysms.
Cerebral aneurysms, also known as intracranial or brain aneurysms, occur most commonly in theanterior cerebral artery, which is part of the circle of Willis. This can cause severe strokes leading to death. The next most common sites of cerebral aneurysm occurrence are in the internal carotid artery.[8]
Signs and symptoms[edit]
Aneurysm presentation may range from life-threatening complications of hypovolemic shock to being found incidentally on X-ray.[9] Symptoms will differ by the site of the aneurysm and can include:
Cerebral aneurysm[edit] Main article: 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.[10] 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 asubarachnoid hemorrhage may present:
