A brain aneurysm (also called a cerebral aneurysm or an intracranial aneurysm) is a balloon-like bulge arising from a weakened area in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain. If the brain aneurysm expands and the blood vessel wall becomes too thin, the aneurysm may rupture and bleed into the space around the brain – a life-threatening situation.

Unruptured brain aneurysms do not always produce symptoms, and sometimes they are discovered when a doctor is examining a patient for another reason. People diagnosed with an unruptured brain aneurysm should consult a medical team that specializes in brain aneurysm surgery. 

The main goal of aneurysm treatment is preventing a rupture. Imaging tests can help the doctor determine if immediate surgical treatment is necessary. In some cases, careful monitoring may be the most appropriate course. 

If an aneurysm is likely to rupture, a variety of surgical procedures can divert blood flow away from the aneurysm and repair the affected blood vessel, including microsurgical clipping, artery bypass and occlusion, flow diversion with stents and endovascular coiling.