November 11, 2021

Cerebral Aneurysm Treatment in Lexington, KY

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An aneurysm is a weakness or outpouching that comes off
one of the blood vessels in the brain.

Generally, it does not cause symptoms unless it bleeds,
and when it bleeds it can be a life-threatening issue

that requires urgent treatment.

We also find a lot of aneurysms that haven't bled.

Patients will get a CT scan or an MRI for a different
reason, like vision changes, or dizziness.

And this will reveal what we call
an incidental aneurysm.

These are aneurysms that have not bled,
but a lot of them based upon the location and size

also need to be treated.

When an aneurysm bleeds,
patients will often present with the sudden onset of

a very severe headache,
but they can also present with a lot of other symptoms

that are similar to strokes.

They could present with trouble speaking, facial droop,
weakness in their arms or legs,

or loss of consciousness.

Our [inaudible] vascular team here at Baptist
Lexington, are always at the forefront of using

the latest devices and technologies to treat aneurysms.

Over the past couple of decades,
we've had the emergence of a field

with endovascular therapies.

This is where we can treat
aneurysms from within the blood vessels.

So we'll get into arteries either in the wrist or the
groin and from there,

we can pass up wires and catheters using X-rays to
guide us until we get all the way to the aneurysm,

and we can treat it from within.

When someone has an aneurysm bleed,
it's a very extreme process.

Patients are nearly dead or can
die very quickly from this.

And to be able to help them and watch them recover,
to get back to normal is extremely gratifying.

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Baptist Health Lexington: Cerebral Aneurysm Treatment

Cerebral aneurysm treatment may differ based on the condition of the aneurysm. Learn more about cerebral aneurysm treatment in Lexington, Kentucky.

Cerebral Aneurysm Treatment in Lexington, KY HealthTalks Transcript

Nicolas Villelli, MD, Neurosurgery:

An aneurysm is a weakness or outpouching that comes off one of the blood vessels in the brain. Generally, it does not cause symptoms, unless it bleeds. When it bleeds, it can be a life-threatening issue that requires urgent treatment.

We also find a lot of aneurysms that haven’t bled. Patients will get a CT scan or MRI for a different reason, like vision changes or dizziness. This will reveal what we call an incidental aneurysm. These are aneurysms that have not bled, but a lot of them, based upon the location and size, need to be treated. When an aneurysm bleeds, patients will often present with the sudden onset of a very severe headache, but they can also present with a lot of other symptoms that are similar to stroke. They can present with trouble speaking, facial droop, weakness in their arms or legs, or loss of consciousness.

Our cerebrovascular team at Baptist [Health] Lexington is always at the forefront of using the latest devices and technologies to treat aneurysms. Over the past couple of decades, we’ve had the emergence of the field of endovascular therapy. This is where we can treat aneurysms from within the blood vessels. We’ll get into arteries, either in the wrist or the groin. From there, we can pass up wires and catheters using X-rays to guide us until we get all the way to the aneurysm. Then, we can treat it from within. When someone has an aneurysm bleed, it’s a very extreme process. Patients are nearly dead or can die very quickly. To be able to help them, watch them recover, and get back to normal is extremely gratifying.

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