On 7/7, a representative from Thanh Nhan Hospital stated that a 50-year-old woman was admitted after experiencing increasingly frequent and prolonged headaches. For several months, she had dismissed these symptoms, along with occasional dizziness, as signs of a vestibular disorder or overwork. This was due to the pains not being severe and the absence of fever, weakness, paralysis, or facial distortion.
However, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) results revealed a right internal carotid artery aneurysm, measuring over 5 mm, indicating a high risk of rupture. This condition is often described as a "ticking time bomb" in the brain, as it can lead to severe consequences if not detected promptly. A ruptured aneurysm carries immediate risks of acute cerebral hemorrhage, coma, death, or devastating neurological sequelae within a very short period.
The medical team successfully treated the patient using a flow diverter stent technique. This endovascular intervention redirects blood flow away from the aneurysm, allowing it to gradually be excluded from circulation. This method reduces the risk of rupture while preserving the brain's vital blood supply. One day after the procedure, the patient was fully conscious, moved normally, and exhibited no neurological complications.
Doctor Nguyen Duy Thinh, Head of the Interventional Vascular Unit and Deputy Head of the Diagnostic Imaging Department, who performed the intervention, highlighted the alarming silent progression of brain aneurysms. Many individuals live with the condition for years without typical symptoms. Prolonged headaches, dizziness, or transient fatigue are often overlooked, leading to delayed diagnosis. If an aneurysm ruptures, treatment becomes significantly more challenging, and the risk of death or severe neurological damage increases substantially.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is currently a non-invasive, X-ray-free method highly valuable for early detection of brain aneurysms when medically indicated. Experts advise individuals with risk factors such as: hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, a family history of cerebrovascular disease, or unexplained chronic headaches to proactively seek medical examination, consultation, and screening when necessary.
Thuy Quynh
