What does having a small aneurysm mean?

Question

My daughter just heard from her doctor that she has a tiny aneurysm and she was referred to another doctor?  The first doctor only told her that she may have always had it.

What is this aneurysm and how is it treated?  Also, what caused it?

mischief2347 · Answer

Was recently diagnosed with 2 aneurysms of 1 to 2 mm. one on the  internal carotid artery and the other on the anterior communicating artery. was also told that at some point I had a " tiny" stroke ( lacunar) stroke in the cerebellum. Scared me something awful. Why is nothing being done about these  aneurysms? Seems the should do something about them. I have to see the neurologist in 6 months again.

BigHeadcase · Answer

I am glad I found this site. I have been having ice pick headaches for 2 months and the last one 3 weeks ago left a bruising effect on my head where the stabbing pain was, also confusion, memory problems and difficulty concentrating. Yesterday my migraine included numbness on the left side of my face and arm. Went to the hospital and got an MRA and they told me I have a "small" cerebral aneurism and that it had nothing to do with my headaches. He also said I have "complicated migraines" and the symptoms mimic those of having a stroke and affect your neurological function. No brain tumor or blocked cerotic artery, so I guess that's good. Still feeling scared and was referred to a neurologist and neurosurgeon. I find it hard to believe the aneurism has nothing to do with my migraines. He also said the white matter on my brain, while is seen with many with a history of migraines, was NOT the result of having TIAs. (A neurologist told me 15 years ago they were from an earlier MRI). Didn't feel this doc knew what he was talking about yesterday!) (An ER doc.)

aggnoris · Answer

8mm anterior communication artery/aneurysm confirmed after 2 CT scans and MRI. What are the treatments for such a diagnosis? 

***@****

nanay752 · Answer

Hi , I have a very complicated case I have an SLE since 2002 , hypothyroidism, then a month ago my SLE is become active I started to have a very high blood pressure it reach to 185/105 with chest pain, neck pain , dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, 2 days ago I had MRA of the brain today and I got a result that I have small aneurysm 3×2mm and I even loss my taste .I just gonna live it to God.

Chellejamison · Answer

Good morning! I came across this post while researching my recent diagnosis of a possible small aneurysm. I am in a waiting pattern for the necessary appts. for diagnosis & treatment. Needless to say the world isn't spinning fast enough for me these days. Your post stood out because you describe almost exactly what I have been going through The pain in the center of the head like an ax hit me going down the right side. I have had two incidents within a month that landed me in the ER lately because it was construed as me having a stroke because I was disoriented, confused, slurred speech. How have you been doing? Do you have any advice for me? I am 44yrs old - otherwise very healthy woman.

boo_im_still_here · Answer

I was diagnosed with a small left side distal brain aneurysm last year that measured 1.4mm. I have been followed by a nuerologist and a nuerosurgeon in a larger city about an hour away and just had my yearly check up . Luckily the Dr stated  it hasn't grown but .2mm. I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia which is VERY painful. Reading all the comments here I also have a sharp almost ice pick feeling pain behind my left eye which only last a few seconds but afterwards my headache is VERY PAINFUL. My blood pressure which usually runs about 138/74 with my BP meds has been running very low around 103/60. I HAVE NEVER had BP that low. I have been having TERRIBLE CONSTANT Headache and Pain from head to toe which could be a Fibromyaglia flare up. I was sent for a CT w/wo contrast to see what was going on at the local hospital of my face and head here from my family physician who also states that an aneurysm or the fibromyalgia would not cause constant headache. I called my Dr. in TEARS yesterday because My head was and still is hurting SO BAD and I had not heard back from my testing. I received a return call to tell me that MY CT w/wo contrast was NORMAL WITH NO ABNORMALITIES. I stated to them that I was just at an overnight stay in the LARGER hospital in the "Bigger" city and had been diagnosed with an aneurysm over a year ago and also have had some white matter changes of the brain appear on previous tests which could have been signs of a possible TAI  or something like that... When I told him this with tears because my head has been hurting LIKE CRAZY he just stated well we show no abnormalities.. Making me feel like I'm stupid.... then he said if it doesn't get better please come back in.... AM I WRONG at saying I'm Changing LOCAL FAMILY DOCTORS... and will this HEADACHE ever go away and SHOULD I possibly try to get a ride to the ER over an hour away..

gaylejo · Answer

Hello, 
I appreciate all the info on aneurysms.  My sister is in the hospital now for high blood pressure they are trying to stabilize and in the testing they did, they found a 1mm aneurysm in her neck.   Could this cause the blood pressure to go real high?  The checked her kidneys and they were fine because the doctors thought that sometimes kidneys can put off some hormone that can cause your blood pressure to spike.  Please can anyone give me any information  on why your blood pressure might spike like this and if the small aneurysm could cause it?  She has had no headaches.

Thanks, GCJ885

jtmm001 · Answer

My husband was just diagnosed with a 7mm anerysm...he started having headaches about 2 years ago and the neuro told him it was stress.  He went yesterday to have a MRA done because he is seeing another doctor and they found the anerysm.  They are now sending him to a specialist.  I have never heard of this..they are saying that this probably not the reason for the headache but I find that VERY hard to believe..any advice would be greatly appreciated...Thanks!

bmblbeeflies · Answer

I have been having an extremely sharp, pin-like shooting pain very much like dlt59 has described. It is focused in one spot, when the pain hits, it is so extreme and painful that I cringe (and mutter a few choice phrases). But the actual pain only lasts 1-3 seconds, it is not patterned or pulsating and though it is clearly internal, the area around the spot is painful to the touch at the surface. It is centralized about 3/4 - 1" behind my left ear, not on my jawline but directly behind the ear. I've been experiencing this for approximately 24 hours now. This is not the first time this has happened to me, but it's been quite some time since the last time; in fact, I don't rightfully recall the last time this was happening.

crisP_1967 · Answer

Hi all,

The gold standard for testing whether or not you have an aneurysm is a CT Angiogram where interventional radiologists get a clear picture of your brain through your femoral artery and by injecting contrast dye.  This gives them a road map of how big your aneurysm is.  Mine (unruptured at 8mm) was detected by accident through an MRI, then had a CT scan and finally a CT Angiogram prior to my coiling procedure.  Didn't have any symptoms before all this.  I was told if you have weakness to your arterial lining then you might develop aneurysm.  Family history also plays a part and I read somewhere that trauma to the head could also cause it especially if the weakness to the arterial wall is already present.  The neuros decided that due to my age (43yo), non smoker, reasonably healthy, and the size of my aneurysm, it was best to have the coiling procedure.  In my research, I read that if an aneurysm is 6mm or lower, the best thing is to just closely monitor it.  dlt59, if you are concerned, demand for a CT angio.  The worst thing that can happen is that they will discover an aneurysm.  The best thing that can happen is that you don't have one and you will feel more comfortable and at ease.  It is possible that they will not just give you this procedure unless it is highly likely you have an aneurysm so good luck in convincing your doctors.

32189 · Answer

Hi Lucy I too have been diagnosed with an aneurysm and am afraid of hospitals because of being told oh my headache were nothing but stress then it takes this one neurologist to find an aneurysm thats killing me. It hurts me alot but all the Doctors do is tell me there is nothing they can do its too small since its only 2mm. I hope you are certainly feeling better now GOD BLESS

dlt59 · Answer

Hi, I am  51 yrs young and was just diagnost this week with having a 2 mm aneursym. I had and MRI last September, 09 for headaches and the results were negative. I have suffered with migrains for years. It has only been the past year that they have gotten worst. I can wake up with one, can have one everyday to the point were they make me sick.

I took a fall back in July and hit my head on a lamp post out side. Could this have caused the aneursym? The injury was on the right side, the aneursym was found on the left. My head is still sore to the touch sometimes.  I also have these sharp pains that shoots to the very top of my head either right or left, mainly the right. When they first started they were on the left. These particular pains started in 05. My primary doctor is saying these are migrains as well, The pains are so severe that I cringh when it happens, it feels like someone id stabbing me with a pin or some kind of sharp object. These episode have lasted for over a month at a time. and has also made my head very sore to the touch.

Up until I made a demand that I wanted to look into this further again because my brother had one years ago. my doctor wanted to give me prescription to take every day to relieve the pain. I would not take it and only took Exedrin Migrain, which is the only this that works on the migrain but not the sharp pains that shoot to the top of my head.

My symptome are blurred vision, speech impairment at times, off balance, lightheadeness, dizziness, lack of focus.


What other than seeing a neurosurgeon should be my next course of action. Your suggestion of course.

marina67 · Answer

Hi ! I have two aneurysms already had surgery fo one the size of 9cm  my surgery went ok recovery is going for two months now can see straight yet. the pains are lighting up. Waiting for the surgeon to schedule my second aneurysm to be clipped. All I can say it has been a living nightmare. If anyone wants to talk call me 1(440)272-5502 or e mail me at ***@**** God Bless You All thansk Lucy

roziej · Answer

I've had an aneurysm since 2005 measures about 4mm and just had a CT and size is the same, but there is another one that is 1.5mm.  The doctor is watching to make sure it does not grow.  I have to have a CT/MRI every year.  I started having headaches dizziness and my balance was off.  I was also diagnosed with Vertigo in 2005.  The MRI showed that I have demyelination which is what happens to people who have MS. After a couple of months all of the symptoms went away.  I was so scarred when all of these things were taking place, but now I'm fine and just dealing with life in stages.  Now that I have another aneurysm I can only try to live stress free.  My doctor told me to be a good girl and don't smoke.  He doesn't have to worry about that.  If you are a smoker it will increase the chance of the aneurysm to burst.

crwstar · Answer

Hi, so glad to hear the news for your daughter!! It is always good news when something we thought we had turns out to not be so. That said ;-) I feel compelled to ask some questions and hope its ok.

How did they discover that she did not have an aneurysm? Did she have a MRA done? If I may, I would like to suggest that you make sure you get the test results - both the MRI film and the written report and read it if you haven't done so. 

I'll tell you just a little about what happened with me. My neurologist at the time read the report that stated "suspicion of an aneurysm" and for what ever reason decided not to tell me and decided that I did not have an aneurysm. To this day I do not know why she did this. Her staff told me this over the phone as I was asking questions......Anyway, I found out by going to my primary care doctor a few weeks later that I had this suspicion on an aneurysm and it was read outloud in front of me. I was in a tiny bit of shock. To make a long story short - I was referred to a neurosurgeon where he looked at my films and said of course you have an aneurysm albeit a small one. This doctor was able to help me develope a plan on watching it for now. So from now on I always get my test results. What this neurologist didn't know and even I didn't know was that I have a family history of aneurysms so even more important that I have a plan in place.

I'm sure this is not the case here and non the less please make sure you get the results and read the report yourself.

I wish you and your daughter many blessings ;-)

Crwstar

Maxi111 · Answer

My daughter saw a neurologist who said she did not have an aneurysm but migraines.  The doctor is going to check her in a couple of months but meanwhile, the neurologist will send her to a headache specialist.

Maxi111 · Answer

Thanks for your comments to Maxi111.  My daughter also just had an MRI on her neck and has not gotten the results.  She has an appointment with a specialist on 9/8 so I will report back after that.

crwstar · Answer

Hi, I am sorry to hear of your daughters diagnosis. I also went in and had an MRI/MRA due to headaches and found out I had a small aneurysm along with a pituitary tumor. It is possible to have multiple aneurysms, sounds like your daughter has one based on the tests. In my search for support it has been harder to find people who have unruptured one's as unfortunately most people find out about these things after they burst. I'm curious if your daughters doctors will tell her the aneurysm isn't the cause of her headaches...this is what I was told. Please keep us posted. I'm always interested in hearing from people who are in the wait and watch group. Feel free to msg me if you have an questions - I was recently diagnosed earlier this year so its still new for me.

Crwstar

Sammy1 · Answer

I think aneurysms are more common then people think. Many times people will go through life with them and they will never cause a problem.  Of course the smaller they are, the better it is and a small one would be looked at by a doctor periodically. 
Good Luck

Maxi111 · Answer

Thank you for your response.  My daughter just found out about this on Friday and she is calling the doctor today, Monday.  She is 25.  I do not know if they are multiple or single - what is this - do you mean more than one aneurysm?  This was detected because she had been having headaches and had an MRI done.  Is there something that can be done to stop the growth?

dr_simran · Answer

Hello Maxi111,
Aneurysm is a localized, blood-filled dilation (balloon-like bulge) of a blood vessel caused by disease or weakening of the vessel wall. Aneurysms most commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain (the circle of Willis) and in the aorta (the main artery coming out of the heart), a so-called aortic aneurysm. The bulge in a blood vessel can burst and lead to death at any time. The larger an aneurysm becomes, the more likely it is to burst and since aneurysms naturally grow, given enough time they will inevitably reach the bursting point if undetected. Rupture and blood clotting are the risks involved with aneurysms. Rupture leads to drop in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and lightheadedness. The risk of death is high except for rupture in the extremities.
What is the age of your daughter? Since how long it has been diagnosed? Are they multiple or single? Answers to these questions would further help.
Refer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aneurysm

Best.