An aneurysm is formed due to a weakness in the vessel wall, that causes it to enlarge. This is a case of a 55-year-old mechanic from Boston, who underwent a surgery for the removal of a giant aneurysm formed in his brain.
He presented to the hospital with a complaint of distorted vision. On inquiry, his family members reported a change in his behavior over the last 3 years. They explained that he had become forgetful, impulsive, and spoke inappropriately in social gatherings. Unfortunately, his symptoms were due to a giant aneurysm in his brain.
Could it be substance abuse?
The family members also told the doctors that they believed he was abusing alcohol. However, the symptoms in the patient seemed to point towards a typical case of frontal lobe dysfunction.
Diagnosis: A Giant Aneurysm!
The doctors ordered a CT and MRI scan of the patient’s brain. These investigations confirmed the diagnosis of a frontal lobe aneurysm (the most common site of an aneurysm!). It was an astonishing 7 cm long! Moreover, Dr. Patel suspected it might have been growing in the man’s brain for a whopping 10 years.
“A 7-centimeter aneurysm is mega-giant — it’s about the size of a good-sized peach. This is the largest reported aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery. This is the blood vessel that connects two major arteries on opposite sides of the brain.
SAID DR. NIRAV PATEL, THE NEUROSURGEON AT BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER WHO PERFORMED THE MAN’S SURGERY AND CO-AUTHORED THE CASE REPORT.
Risk factors
The mechanic had 2 major risk factors that eventually resulted in the formation of an aneurysm in his brain. His sister had died due to a brain aneurysm in the past. Moreover, he was a chronic smoker.
Treatment
The doctors treated him through a surgery that lasted 23 hours long. The surgery involved the repairing of the damaged vessel wall.
Prognosis
The surgery was a success, and the man’s symptoms improved after the operation. He was also able to re-join his workplace three months later.
