An aneurysm is a sac-like protrusion of an artery caused by a
weakened area within the vessel wall. If a cerebral (brain)
aneurysm ruptures, the escaping blood within the brain may cause
severe neurologic complications or death. A person who has a
ruptured cerebral aneurysm may complain of the sudden onset of "the
worst headache of my life."
Review Date: 09/28/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard
Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General
Hospital; and David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine,
Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of
Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
