Brain aneurysm with coil embolization treatment.

Brain Aneurysm Rupture: What You Need to Know About Pseudoaneurysms and Treatment Options

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Understanding the risks, diagnosis, and endovascular treatments for rare pseudoaneurysms associated with ruptured cerebral aneurysms."

Brain aneurysms are scary enough on their own. But what happens when a complication arises, like the formation of a pseudoaneurysm (PA)? A PA is a rare condition where a sac-like structure forms outside the artery wall, usually after an injury or rupture. In the brain, this is particularly dangerous.

While true aneurysms involve a bulge in the actual artery wall, pseudoaneurysms are different. They occur in less than 1% of intracranial aneurysms, making them quite rare. Because they're not contained by the artery wall itself, they're prone to rupture and can lead to serious complications.

In a recent case study, doctors explored a case of a patient with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm that developed a PA. The good news? They successfully treated it using a technique called coil embolization. Let’s dive into what this means for you and your understanding of brain health.

What is a Pseudoaneurysm and Why Is It Risky?

Brain aneurysm with coil embolization treatment.

A pseudoaneurysm, also known as a false aneurysm, happens when there’s damage to the artery wall. Blood leaks out and forms a clot-filled sac outside the vessel. Unlike a true aneurysm, which involves the stretching and ballooning of all three layers of the artery wall, a pseudoaneurysm is contained only by the outer layers or surrounding tissue. This makes it unstable and more likely to rupture.

Because the wall of a pseudoaneurysm is weaker than a true aneurysm, the risk of rupture is higher. When a pseudoaneurysm ruptures, it can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a life-threatening condition where bleeding occurs in the space surrounding the brain. Symptoms can include a sudden, severe headache, loss of consciousness, and neurological deficits. Quick diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent permanent brain damage or death.

Here are some key points to remember:

Pseudoaneurysms are rare, occurring in less than 1% of intracranial aneurysms.
They form outside the artery wall, making them more prone to rupture.
Rupture can lead to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a life-threatening condition.

The case study highlighted a 67-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and diabetes who experienced a sudden decline in consciousness. Doctors discovered a ruptured aneurysm with an associated pseudoaneurysm. The challenge was to treat this complex condition effectively while minimizing the risk of further complications.

The Future of Aneurysm Treatment

While pseudoaneurysms associated with ruptured aneurysms are rare and complex, the case study demonstrates that endovascular treatment, specifically coil embolization, can be a viable option. By carefully targeting the true aneurysm and avoiding direct intervention on the pseudoaneurysm, doctors can prevent further rupture and improve patient outcomes. If you or a loved one is facing a brain aneurysm, know that advancements in treatment are continually evolving, offering hope and better results.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.7461/jcen.2018.20.1.24, Alternate LINK

Title: A Pseudoaneurysm Associated With A Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm: Hypothesis On The Formation Of The Pa And Feasibility Of Endovascular Treatment

Subject: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Journal: Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery

Publisher: Korean Society of Cerebrovascular Surgeons/Korean Society of Endovascular Surgery

Authors: Jong-Hoon Kim, Chul-Hoon Chang, Young-Jin Jung

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is a pseudoaneurysm and how does it differ from a true aneurysm?

A pseudoaneurysm, unlike a true aneurysm, doesn't involve the stretching of all three layers of the artery wall. Instead, it's a sac-like structure that forms outside the artery wall due to damage, where blood leaks out and clots. True aneurysms involve the ballooning of the entire artery wall. The absence of all three layers makes a pseudoaneurysm more prone to rupture compared to a true aneurysm, increasing the risk of a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Why are pseudoaneurysms associated with ruptured cerebral aneurysms considered particularly dangerous?

Pseudoaneurysms are dangerous because their walls are weaker than those of true aneurysms. This weakness significantly increases the risk of rupture, leading to a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). SAH is a life-threatening condition involving bleeding around the brain, which can cause severe neurological damage or even death. The case study demonstrates the urgency in treating the aneurysm and the associated pseudoaneurysm to avoid life-threatening outcomes.

What is coil embolization, and how is it used to treat pseudoaneurysms that develop after a brain aneurysm rupture?

Coil embolization is an endovascular technique where coils are inserted into the aneurysm to block blood flow, preventing further rupture. In the context of a ruptured aneurysm with an associated pseudoaneurysm, doctors target the true aneurysm with coil embolization. By carefully occluding the true aneurysm, they indirectly stabilize the pseudoaneurysm, reducing the risk of further complications without directly intervening on the pseudoaneurysm itself.

Given that pseudoaneurysms are rare, what factors might increase someone's risk of developing one after a brain aneurysm rupture?

While the frequency is low, certain conditions can elevate the risk. The case study mentions the patient had a history of hypertension and diabetes. These factors can weaken blood vessel walls, making pseudoaneurysm formation more likely after an aneurysm ruptures. Any existing vascular damage, previous trauma, or inflammatory conditions affecting blood vessels could also contribute to the risk.

If someone experiences a sudden, severe headache, how quickly should they seek medical attention, and what other symptoms might indicate a ruptured pseudoaneurysm leading to a subarachnoid hemorrhage?

A sudden, severe headache, especially if described as the "worst headache of your life," requires immediate medical attention. This could be a sign of a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. Other symptoms may include loss of consciousness, neurological deficits like weakness or numbness, vision changes, seizures, and neck stiffness. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential to minimize brain damage and improve survival rates in cases of SAH.