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A small, unchanging aneurysm will produce no symptoms. Before a larger aneurysm ruptures, the individual may experience such symptoms as a sudden and usually severe headache, nausea, vision impairment, vomiting, and loss of consciousnessConsciousness is a quality of the mind generally regarded to comprise qualities such as self-awareness, sentience, sapience, and the ability to perceive the relationship between oneself and one's environment. In common parlance, consciousness denotes bein, or the individual may be asymptomatic, experiencing no symptoms at all. Onset is usually sudden and without warning. Rupture of a cerebral aneurysm is dangerous and usually results in bleeding into the meningesThe meninges (singular meninx are the system of membranes that contain the brain. It consists of three layers, the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater. The pia or pia mater is a very delicate membrane. It is closest to the brain and follows all t or the brain itself, leading to a subarachnoid hemorrhageA subarachnoid hemorrhage SAH is bleeding into the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain, i. the area between the arachnoid and the pia mater. It is a medical emergency which, depending on severity, can lead to death or severe disability even if recogn or intracranial hematomaA hematoma or haematoma is a collection of blood, generally the result of hemorrhage. Hematomas exist as bruises ( ecchymoses), but can also develop in organs. Types subdural hematoma subarachnoid hematoma epidural hematoma perichondral hematoma (cauliflo, either of which constitutes a stroke. Rebleeding, hydrocephalusHydrocephalus ('water on the brain', in Greek) is the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain. This usually leads to raised intracranial pressure. Causes Hydrocephalus can be broadly classified as being caused by distur (the excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluidCerebrospinal fluid CSF in short, is the clear fluid that occupies the subarachnoid space (the space between the skull and cortex of the brain). It acts as a "cushion" or buffer for the cortex. Also, CSF occupies the ventricular system of the brain and th), vasospasm (spasm of the blood vessels), or multiple aneurysms may also occur. An unruptured cerebral aneurysm has a 4% chance of rupturing each year.
In outlining symptoms of ruptured cerebral aneurysm, it is useful to make use of the Hunt and Hess scale of subarachnoid hemorrhage severity:
The prognosis for a patient with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm depends on the extent and location of the aneurysm, the person's age, general health, and neurological condition. Some individuals with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm die from the initial bleeding. Other individuals with cerebral aneurysm recover with little or no neurological deficit. However, estimates are, that of the 30,000 people per year in the United States who suffer a ruptured aneurysm, only 20% will be alive and well in one year's time. 20% will be alive but disabled, and 60% will have died.
See also: Stroke
The base text for this article was taken from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke public domain resource at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/ceraneur_doc.htm.