On 19/8, a representative from the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases reported that the patient suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage spreading to both sides of the brain, a typical sign of a ruptured brain aneurysm. A cerebral angiogram confirmed two aneurysms: a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm and another smaller aneurysm in the forebrain.

Given the critical situation, the surgical team performed a microsurgical clipping of the ruptured aneurysm's neck. This complex procedure requires precise access to the brain's blood vessels, exposing the aneurysm and clipping it at the exact location to stop the bleeding while preserving surrounding nerves and blood vessels.

After two days, the patient regained consciousness, could communicate, was taken off the ventilator, and recovered well.

Image of the patient's brain aneurysm. Photo: Hospital provided

Doctor Nguyen Quang Thanh, a neurosurgeon, explained that a brain aneurysm is an abnormal bulging in the wall of a brain artery, often asymptomatic until it ruptures, causing a brain hemorrhage and potentially leading to critical complications like a stroke.

Patients may experience a sudden, severe headache described as a "thunderclap," stiff neck, vomiting, drowsiness, altered mental state, or even coma. Some cases are discovered incidentally during MRI or cerebral angiography. The risk of brain aneurysms is higher in individuals with a family history, hypertension, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption habits, or underlying conditions that weaken artery walls. Larger aneurysms are more prone to rupture, but even small ones can cause serious complications.

An undetected brain aneurysm is like a "ticking time bomb" in the head. Regular screening is the only way to detect and treat it before rupture. Doctors recommend regular health checkups to identify risk factors early.

High-risk individuals should consult with specialists for advice and undergo regular cerebral angiography screening. If warning signs like sudden severe headaches, stiff neck, or altered mental state appear, immediate medical attention is crucial. Controlling blood pressure, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake are important measures to reduce the risk of arterial wall damage.

Thuy Quynh