Saccular aneurysms are the most common type of brain aneurysm, and many people live their entire lives without complications. However, if a saccular aneurysm ruptures, it becomes a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical intervention. The key to preventing such a crisis is early detection and careful monitoring.
Introduction to Saccular Brain Aneurysms
A saccular aneurysm is the most common type of brain aneurysm. You can live with a small saccular aneurysm all of your life without a problem. But should that aneurysm rupture, it is life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
A saccular brain aneurysm can be detected and monitored before a chance of rupture by consulting a specialized brain aneurysm clinic in Singapore such as the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic.
This article is part of our guide to understanding brain aneurysms. For a complete overview, visit, Brain Aneurysm: What You Should Know.
Common Questions About Saccular Brain Aneurysms
What is a saccular brain aneurysm?
A saccular brain aneurysm, also known as a berry aneurysm, is the most common type of intracranial aneurysm. It appears as a small, rounded pouch that forms along the wall of a brain artery due to weakness in the vessel wall.
Because saccular aneurysms can vary significantly in size, location and shape, assessment by a specialist is important to understand the individual risk profile and appropriate management options.
What causes a saccular brain aneurysm?
Saccular brain aneurysms develop due to changes and weakening of the artery wall over time. Factors that may contribute to aneurysm formation or growth include:
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Family history of brain aneurysms
- Certain genetic or connective tissue conditions
- Age-related changes in blood vessels
In many cases, a brain aneurysm develops without obvious symptoms and is discovered incidentally during brain imaging.
Are saccular brain aneurysms dangerous?
A saccular brain aneurysm may remain stable for many years, but some aneurysms can enlarge or rupture, causing bleeding around the brain known as subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Specialists assess rupture risk by considering multiple factors, including:
- Aneurysm size
- Location within the brain circulation
- Shape and irregular features
- Growth over time
- Patient age and medical history
- Family history and other risk factors
How are saccular brain aneurysms diagnosed?
Saccular brain aneurysms are usually evaluated using advanced vascular imaging such as:
- CT angiography (CTA)
- MR angiography (MRA)
- Cerebral angiography (digital subtraction angiography)
These imaging techniques help specialists understand the aneurysm's size, shape, location and relationship with surrounding blood vessels.
What treatments are available for saccular brain aneurysms?
Treatment depends on the individual's risk factors and aneurysm characteristics. Options may include:
- Monitoring with regular imaging for selected low-risk aneurysms
- Endovascular coiling
- Stent-assisted coiling
- Flow diversion
- Surgical clipping in selected cases
A neurointerventional specialist will consider the complete clinical picture before recommending observation or treatment.
What is a Saccular Brain Aneurysm?
Most commonly saccular aneurysms are found where major arteries branch off at the base of the brain. They are usually located in the region known as the circle of Willis, which was named after English physician, Thomas Willis, who studied the anatomy of the brain in the 1700s.
An aneurysm may be present at birth, taking advantage of a congenital weakness in the artery wall which can expand over time. A saccular brain aneurysm differs from other types due to its uniform, rounded, pouch-like shape, resembling a berry.
Because of their shape, saccular aneurysms are considered a higher risk of rupture. However, the danger of any brain aneurysm rupture is highly dependent upon its size and location.
Brain Aneurysm Causes and Risk Factors
Genetics are often associated with saccular aneurysms. The closer the family lineage, such as a parent or sibling, the more likely it may occur. As with other types of intracranial aneurysms, saccular aneurysms are more often found in women than men.
Other risk factors include:
- Hypertension
- Atherosclerosis
- Polycystic kidney disease (PCKD)
- Head trauma
- Infection
Symptoms of a Saccular Brain Aneurysm
Many people never experience any symptoms of an unruptured brain aneurysm, especially if it is small. However, a larger aneurysm may start to apply pressure to brain nerves and tissues. In this case, one may have a sensitivity to light, have pain behind one eye, have double vision, get a stiff neck, or experience numbness on one side of the face.
If a saccular brain aneurysm ruptures, which is known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), most patients feel a sudden, severe headache called a thunderclap headache. Additional symptoms include those of an unruptured aneurysm but may also include nausea and vomiting. Patients may also experience confusion, have a seizure, or lose consciousness.
In the case of a possible ruptured saccular brain aneurysm, immediate care is necessary. Call 9-9-5 immediately.
How Saccular Brain Aneurysm is Diagnosed
A small, unruptured saccular aneurysm cannot be diagnosed by physical examination alone. Detection may be found by a CT scan. An MRI may further be recommended to look for an aneurysm not found on a CT scan.
In the case of a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a lumbar puncture may help determine if there is an aneurysm bleed.
Saccular Brain Aneurysm Treatment Options
Treatment and future care are dependent upon the size of the aneurysm and whether it has ruptured.
If you are diagnosed with a small, asymptomatic saccular brain aneurysm, no treatment is required other than routine observation to check if it has grown. However, lifestyle changes are important including:
- Managing high blood pressure
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol and recreational drugs
For some larger unruptured aneurysms, surgical clipping may be recommended to prevent future rupture.
If an aneurysm has ruptured, immediate diagnosis and treatment are needed. For some, a minimally invasive treatment option known as endovascular coiling is recommended. For others, surgical clipping may be the right option.
Ongoing supportive care is required following any brain aneurysm rupture, no matter what initial treatment is given. Routine checkups will help manage complications of vasospasms, hydrocephalus, or stroke.
Brain Aneurysm Prevention and Long-Term Management
If you have a family history of brain aneurysms, you should schedule routine testing to determine if you may also have one. At the Supreme Vascular and Prevention Clinic in Singapore, our brain aneurysm specialist, Dr. Manish Tenja will perform a physical examination and ask you about your family history. CT scans and MRIs are the best diagnostic tools for aneurysm determination and offer valuable information regarding location and size.
Routine follow-up examinations and scans are recommended to see whether an aneurysm has changed in size and shape. While aneurysms cannot be prevented, they can be managed through monitoring and lifestyle habits. Routine follow-up after treatment for a ruptured saccular brain aneurysm cannot be emphasized enough.
When to Consider a Vascular Specialist Assessment
A saccular brain aneurysm may be discovered during imaging performed for another reason, or after symptoms suggest a possible neurological condition. Specialist evaluation helps determine whether monitoring, additional imaging or treatment is appropriate.
Consider seeking assessment from a brain aneurysm specialist if you:
- Have been diagnosed with an unruptured brain aneurysm
- Have a saccular aneurysm identified on CTA, MRA or cerebral angiography
- Have an aneurysm that has increased in size or changed in appearance
- Have a family history of brain aneurysms or aneurysm-related bleeding
- Have conditions associated with increased aneurysm risk, such as polycystic kidney disease (PKD) or connective tissue disorders
- Have been advised to consider treatment and want to understand minimally invasive options
- Would like a second opinion about aneurysm monitoring or treatment
A specialist consultation involves reviewing your scans, understanding your personal risk factors and discussing all available options. This allows patients and families to make informed decisions based on the aneurysm's characteristics rather than a single measurement alone.
Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experience a sudden severe headache ("thunderclap headache"), vomiting, neck stiffness, weakness, difficulty speaking, seizures, confusion or loss of consciousness. These symptoms may indicate a ruptured brain aneurysm and require urgent treatment.
Seek Help at the Supreme Vascular and Intervention Center in Singapore
Early saccular brain aneurysm detection and treatment is key to living a long and healthy life. A brain aneurysm can be silent until it becomes life-threatening. Early detection can save a life. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Tanish at the Supreme Vascular and Prevention Center in Singapore.
Brain Aneurysm Resources
Discover brain aneurysm resources that go beyond the basics designed for patients. Understand the meaning of a brain aneurysm condition, the causes, symptoms, signs, and more. Connect with your brain health.
Put Brain Aneurysm on Your Health Radar
Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that can change over time. The key concern is when an aneurysm ruptures, which can disrupt blood flow, affect brain tissue, and lead to serious brain damage. Controllable conditions like high blood pressure can increase this risk and treatment options can depend on the condition. Surgical clipping is one option that prevents blood from entering the weakened area. In many cases, minimally invasive treatments can also be used to restore normal blood flow and reduce risk. We have created structured guides to help you explore each stage in more detail:
A simple (computed tomography) CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your "go-to" facility for various neurointerventional / stroke conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our brain aneurysm specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.