Brain Aneurysms Specialist
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Nova Neuroscience
Bülent Yapicilar, MD
Neurosurgery & Cerebrovascular, Spinal, and Brain Tumor Neurosurgery located in Tyson Corner, Vienna, VA & Woodbridge, VA
You can have a brain aneurysm without developing symptoms, but as it enlarges, you’ll experience vision changes and pain behind your eyes. That’s when you need immediate medical care from Bülent Yapicilar, MD, at Nova Neuroscience in Vienna and Woodbridge, Virginia. As a board-certified neurosurgeon with extensive experience diagnosing and treating brain aneurysms, Dr. Yapicilar offers compassionate treatment that’s individualized to protect your health and prevent a rupture. If you have signs of an aneurysm, don’t wait to schedule an appointment. Call the nearest office or use the online booking feature today.
Brain Aneurysms Q & A
What is a brain aneurysm?
An aneurysm occurs when muscles that line the inside of an artery weaken. The force of blood flowing through the artery pushes the weak area out, creating a balloon-like bulge called an aneurysm. When the affected artery is in your brain, you have a brain aneurysm.
Over time, the blood vessel wall becomes thinner and can suddenly rupture. When a brain aneurysm ruptures, it bleeds into the space around the brain, causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage. This type of hemorrhage can lead to a stroke, coma, or even death.
What symptoms develop due to a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm may not cause symptoms until it grows large enough to press against a nerve or it ruptures.
The symptoms of an unruptured aneurysm include:
- Dilated pupils
- Double vision
- Pain behind and above your eye
- Numbness on one side of your face
When the aneurysm ruptures, you experience a sudden, severe headache, a stiff neck, nausea, and vomiting. You may also develop a sensitivity to light, lose your vision, or lose consciousness.
How are brain aneurysms treated?
If your brain aneurysm is discovered before it ruptures, Dr. Yapicilar determines the best treatment based on the aneurysm’s size and location, your medical history, and your overall health.
In some cases, he may recommend closely monitoring your aneurysm with imaging scans while also taking steps to lower your risk of a rupture. This could include medication to lower your blood pressure or lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking.
If your aneurysm poses a high risk of rupturing, or if it has already ruptured, Dr. Yapicilar performs brain surgery, such as:
Clipping
Dr. Yapicilar places a clip across the aneurysm to stop blood from flowing into the area.
Artery occlusion and bypass
During this procedure, clips are used to block the aneurysm, then Dr. Yapicilar reroutes blood around the area using a blood vessel graft.
Endovascular coiling
To treat an aneurysm with endovascular coiling, Dr. Yapicilar inserts a soft wire coil into the aneurysm. The coil causes blood clotting, which seals the aneurysm and prevents blood from flowing into the bulging area.
Endovascular flow diversion
If clipping or coiling aren’t good options, Dr. Yapicilar can place a flow-diversion stent inside the artery at the site of the aneurysm. As a result, blood flows through the stent rather than into the aneurysm.
If you experience aneurysm symptoms, it’s important to seek immediate treatment. Call Nova Neuroscience or schedule an appointment online today.
