Give now

In My Area

Support groups
  • AdventHealth Brain Aneurysm Support Group

    Winter Park, FL

    Learn more
  • Baltimore Brain Aneurysm Foundation Support Group

    Lutherville-Timonium, MD

    Learn more
  • Bay Area Aneurysm and Vascular Malformation Support Group

    San Francisco, CA

    Learn more

Diagnosis

When a ruptured aneurysm is suspected, a head CT (computerized tomography) scan is performed. This is a painless, non-invasive X-ray exam. A CT scan will show if there has been bleeding in the brain.

However, a basic CT scan does not usually show the cause of the bleeding. Using a technique called computerized tomography angiography (CTA), in which a contrast dye is injected into the bloodstream, the brain’s blood vessels are highlighted and aneurysms can be seen using special imaging techniques.

Sometimes an angiogram is needed to provide a better view of the aneurysm and blood vessels. An angiogram may be done on an emergency basis after a subarachnoid hemorrhage is detected. For someone with an unruptured aneurysm, the angiogram is often performed as an outpatient procedure in an angiography suite of a hospital.

During an angiogram, an area of the groin is numbed and the doctor inserts a catheter into an artery in the groin. The catheter is then advanced to the appropriate area, and a contrast dye is injected through it. The dye highlights the arteries and X-ray images are taken.

Sometimes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are used to screen patients for aneurysms. MRI and MRA, which use computer-generated radio waves and a powerful magnetic field, do not expose the patient to any ionizing radiation (X-rays).

CTA, MRA, or an angiogram may also be used to diagnose unruptured aneurysms.

This site uses cookies

Our site uses cookies to personalize features and, via third-parties, to collect metrics on usage so that we can better tailor our site to the needs of our users. You can view our full cookie and privacy policies via the links below. To fully experience our site, please click Accept.