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Cerebral aneurysm

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Overview

Brain tissue is supplied with oxygen and nutrients by a network of cerebral arteries. If the wall of an artery becomes weak, a portion of it may balloon out and form an aneurysm.

A cerebral aneurysm may enlarge until it bursts. If it does, it will send blood throughout the spaces in or surrounding the brain.

Review Date 5/2/2022

Updated by: Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, FAAN, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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