{"id":77,"date":"2012-05-14T18:40:00","date_gmt":"2012-05-14T22:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/med-neurosurgery.sites.unc.edu\/services\/aneurysms\/"},"modified":"2025-07-22T14:45:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-22T18:45:42","slug":"aneurysms-treatment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/neurosurgery\/services\/aneurysms-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Brain Aneurysms & Cerebrovascular Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

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UNC Health’s Multidisciplinary Cerebrovascular Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\"Venus
Venous sinus stenosis disrupts out-flowing blood from the brain back to the heart. This causes a backup of blood in the brain resulting in a state termed \u201cvenous hypertension.\u201d The end result is that the pressure in the head is abnormally high causing headaches and visual loss. The illustration shows an endovascular catheter deploying a Zilver stent to open up the stenosis. This procedure is performed by our multidisciplinary cerebrovascular team. (Image: Mark Schornak, MS, CMI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Our cerebrovascular team treats the following conditions:<\/p>\n

Aneurysms
\nArteriovenous Malformations
\nArteriovenous Fistulas (AMVs\/AVFs)
\nCarotid-Cavenous Fistulas (CCFs)
\nCavernous Malformations (Cavemomas)
\nAcute ischemic stroke
\nAcute hemorrhagic stroke (ICHs)
\nIIH (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
\nBenign Intracranial Hypertension (pseudotumor)
\nCarotid Stenosis
\nIntracranial Stenosis
\nMoyamoya Disease and Moyamoya Syndrome
\nChronic Subdural Hematomas
\nPulsatile Tinnitus
\nSubdural Hematoma<\/p>\n

What is cerebrovascular disease?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Cerebrovascular diseases are brain blood vessel blockages, bleeding, or other problems which disrupt the regular flow of blood to the brain. This deprives the brain of necessary oxygen, which can then cause damage to the brain. Brain aneurysms, stroke, and vascular malformations are all types of cerebrovascular disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A cerebrovascular event such as a stroke or hemorrhage is a medical emergency and patients should be treated immediately. At UNC, we have adopted an open-access policy requiring that we will be able to open a bed for any patient in the state of North Carolina requiring emergent treatment for cerebrovascular disease, including spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage from an aneurysm or hypertensive crisis, and stroke.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Brain Aneurysm Symptoms<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A brain aneurysm can leak or rupture causing bleeding in the brain, which can be life threatening and requires immediate medical treatment.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of a brain aneurysm rupture include a sudden, severe headache, nausea, stiff neck, vision trouble, seizure, confusion, weakness or numbness. If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention right away.<\/p>\n

Aneurysms found on imaging that have not ruptured can be treated in a non-emergent timeline after discussing treatment options in our neurosurgery clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Brain Aneurysm Treatment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Brain aneurysm treatment for each patient is determined by the size and location of the brain aneurysm. If surgery is indicated, our neurosurgeons offer two different surgical treatment options for patients with brain aneurysms. The type of procedure is determined based on the patient\u2019s age, health, number of aneurysms, location of aneurysm, and relationship of the aneurysm to the other blood vessels.<\/p>\n

The first is surgical clipping, a procedure performed to stop the flow of blood into the brain aneurysm to prevent it from rupturing. During the procedure, a metal clip is placed at the neck of the brain aneurysm to stop blood flow, which will then cause the aneurysm to shrink.<\/p>\n

The second procedure is called endovascular coiling. Our neurosurgeons perform this procedure on patients with brain aneurysms when possible because it is less invasive than surgical clipping. Endovascular coiling can also be used to repair a ruptured aneurysm. Flow diverters may also be used to treat large brain aneurysms. Consult with your UNC neurosurgeon<\/a> on which brain aneurysm treatment is right for you.<\/p>\n

Signs of a Stroke<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and one of the top causes of long-term disability in the United States.\u00a0A stroke affects the arteries leading to and within the brain and occurs when a blood vessel becomes blocked by a blood clot. Rupture of a blood vessel associated with the brain can also cause a stroke. If the brain cannot get enough of the necessary oxygen and nutrients carried by regular blood flow, brain cells die.<\/p>\n

Warning signs of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, vision trouble, dizziness, and severe headache. Each symptom comes on suddenly and should be treated as emergent. If someone around you shows any of these symptoms, dial 9-1-1 immediately. Fast treatment is crucial in the survival and recovery of stroke patients.<\/p>\n

Learn more about the signs and symptoms of stroke<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Stroke Treatment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Stroke surgery is performed to restore normal blood flow to the brain. Following a stroke, surgery may also be recommended for high-risk patients to prevent another stroke from occurring. UNC Hospitals Comprehensive Stroke Center\u2019s<\/a> approach utilizes the expertise of a large group of physicians and staff with specialty training in the treatment of stroke.<\/p>\n

The neurosurgery team is involved in the care of all patients with intracerebral hemorrhage that develop malignant intracranial hypertension, or increased pressure on the brain, who may require surgical intervention to prevent a stroke from occurring.<\/p>\n

A mechanical embolectomy is often recommended for patients who have suffered an Ischemic Stroke, or a stroke caused by a blood clot. During the procedure, a small device is inserted into the artery to remove the blood clot and restore normal blood flow to the brain.<\/p>\n

In addition to surgical stroke treatment, stroke patients will likely be referred to rehabilitation, physical therapy, and occupational therapy for additional treatment.<\/p>\n

Reduce Your Risk of Cerebrovascular Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You can reduce your risk of developing cerebrovascular disease through regular exercise, a healthy diet, managing your weight, refraining from smoking, limiting alcohol intake, and by maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.<\/p>\n

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If you would like to make an appointment with one of our neurosurgeons, please call 984-974-4175<\/a> to schedule.<\/p>\n

Our Multidisciplinary Brain Aneurysms & Cerebrovascular Disease Team:<\/span><\/h3>\n

Neurosurgery
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\n \"Carlos\n \"\"\n <\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n <\/div>\n
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\n Carlos David, MD <\/a>\n <\/h2> \n \n

Division Chief, Cerebrovascular & Skull Base Surgery
\nVice Chair of Education, Clinical Skills Lab
\nResidency Program Director
\nProfessor<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n \n