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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffWhen a brain aneurysm ruptures, the bleeding usually lasts only a few seconds. The blood can cause direct damage to surrounding cells, and the bleeding can damage or kill other cells. It also increases pressure inside the skull. If the pressure becomes too elevated, the blood and oxygen supply to the brain may be disrupted to the point that loss of consciousness or even death may occur.
Complications that can develop after the rupture of an aneurysm include:
- Re-bleeding. An aneurysm that has ruptured or leaked is at risk of bleeding again. Re-bleeding can cause further damage to brain cells.
- Vasospasm. After a brain aneurysm ruptures, blood vessels in your brain may widen and narrow erratically (vasospasm). This condition can limit blood flow to brain cells (ischemic stroke) and cause additional cell damage and loss.
- Hydrocephalus. When an aneurysm rupture results in bleeding in the space between the brain and surrounding tissue (subarachnoid hemorrhage) — most often the case — the blood can block circulation of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid). This condition can result in hydrocephalus, an excess of cerebrospinal fluid that increases pressure on the brain and can damage tissues.
- Hyponatremia. Subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured brain aneurysm can disrupt the balance of sodium in the blood supply. This may occur from damage to the hypothalamus, an area near the base of the brain. A drop in blood sodium levels (hyponatremia) can cause swelling of brain cells and permanent damage.
- Cerebral aneurysm fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/detail_cerebral_aneurysm.htm. Accessed April 12, 2009.
- Cerebral aneurysm. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/cerebral.asp. Accessed April 12, 2009.
- Singer RJ, et al. Etiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 12, 2009.
- Bendok BR, et al. Cerebral aneurysms and vascular malformations. In: Noseworthy JH, ed. Neurological Therapeutics: Principles and Practice. New York, N.Y.: Martin Dunitz; 2003.
- Singer RJ, et al. Unruptured intracranial aneurysms. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Singer RJ, et al. Screening for intracranial aneurysm. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 9, 2009.
- Soni D. Treatment options for cerebral aneurysm. American Association of Neurological Surgery. http://www.neurosurgerytoday.org/what/patient_e/treatment.asp. Accessed April 12, 2009.
- Rabinstein AA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 11, 2009.
