An aneurysm is a part of the blood vessel wall that is weakened and has bulged. This bulged area is full of blood. There are three types of aneurysms: saccular, fusiform, and mycotic. Each of these types can develop in any part of the brain. A brain aneurysm is diagnosed with high tech imaging. Often, an aneurysm is found on imaging that was performed for an unrelated reason. Imaging helps determine where the aneurysm is, how big, and what type (what it looks like).
Microvascular clipping an aneurysm involves clipping/cutting off blood flow to the aneurysm. This is an open brain surgery done by craniotomy. During surgery, a piece of the skull is removed to expose the brain/aneurysm. The aneurysm as well as the blood vessels that connect to the aneurysm are visualized. A small metal clip is placed where the aneurysm meets the vessel it is bulging from (also called the ‘neck’) to cut off blood supply. The clip that is used looks like a small metal clothespin. This surgery is very effective, lessening the chance of the aneurysm happening again.