Inside the Mind: A Conversation on Brain Aneurysms
In this Q&A, Dr. Nnenna Mbabuike shares her expertise on brain aneurysms—from risk factors and rupture potential to treatment options—as well as insights into the practice of neurosurgery and the significance of ASBN in fostering professional growth and mentorship in the specialty.
What do you do?
I am a cerebrovascular and endovascular neurosurgeon - which means I take care of diseases of the blood vessels within the brain and sometimes the spine through surgical treatment. I treat stroke, brain aneurysms, malformations of blood vessels within the brain and the spine, brain tumors, and traumatic brain injury amongst other cranial brain disorders.
What is a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm is a term a lot of people are familiar with but don't always understand. A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in the lining of a blood vessel that causes a balloon-like outpouching on this vessel. We get concerned because these weak spots can rupture suddenly and cause bleeding into the brain. This can cause a serious condition requiring emergent treatment.
Who is at risk for developing a brain aneurysm?
We look at risk factors that are associated with the patient like high blood pressure, family history, or cigarette smoking and those associated with the aneurysm itself like its size, its location, and its behavior over time or growth. Not all aneurysms will rupture - we do our best as surgeons to evaluate your risk and recommend the best management.
How are brain aneurysms detected and treated today?
The good news is that brain aneurysms can be detected with imaging like an MRI or cat scan of the brain allowing you to create a plan with your surgeon to determine the best management. There has been a lot of improvement and innovation in the way we diagnose, treat, and manage patients over the years. They are now treated with traditional open surgery or through minimally invasive techniques treating the aneurysm from inside the blood vessel. I am happy to be able to offer these innovative strategies to my patients in a way that was not always possible before.
What role does ASBN play in raising awareness and advancing care?
While aneurysms can affect everyone like many health conditions, people with less education and less access to our healthcare systems do not always benefit from all the advancements we have made in treating this disease. ASBN aims to increase the awareness and education of this disease process as well as others to ensure we all have the best chance at recovery.