Comprehensive Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center at Lakeland Regional Health

Comprehensive Stroke and Cerebrovascular Center

at Lakeland Regional Health

Our dedicated team of experts explored the complexities of aneurysms and other cerebrovascular pathologies—such as arteriovenous malformation, carotid disease, intracranial atherosclerotic disease, and moyamoya—shining a light on the challenges and hope within these critical fields.

Dr. Croci is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon at the University of South Florida. He specializes in skull base and open cerebrovascular surgery and treats conditions such as cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, moyamoya disease, intracranial atherosclerosis, and carotid diseases.

Gabriel Flores-Milan, MD

Dr. Flores-Milan completed his residency in neurological surgery and a fellowship in skull base and open cerebrovascular surgery at the University of South Florida. He specializes in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, moyamoya disease, intracranial atherosclerosis, and carotid diseases.

Martin Radvany, MD

Dr. Radvany is a board-certified neuro-interventional surgical radiologist with over 25 years of experience performing brain and spine inter. He specializes in neurovascular care and collaborates with other specialists to diagnose and treat various conditions, including brain aneurysms, carotid stenosis, middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematomas, dural arteriovenous fistulas, arteriovenous malformations, and ischemic strokes.

What is a brain aneurysm?

An aneurysm commonly occurs in the brain when a section of a blood vessel wall weakens, leading to the wall ballooning, bulging, or widening. Aneurysms usually show no symptoms until they rupture, leading to dangerous bleeding in the brain that can be fatal. The primary risk factors for developing a brain aneurysm include family history, high blood pressure, substance abuse, and unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking.

Do aneurysms present symptoms?

Aneurysms are typically asymptomatic until they rupture. When an aneurysm ruptures, it presents with a sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause, which can be associated with stroke-like symptoms such as:

Numbness or weakness on one side of the body, affecting the face, arm, or leg
Confusion or difficulty articulating thoughts
Challenges in understanding spoken language
Vision light sensitivity (Photophobia)
Dizziness, a loss of balance, or lack of coordination

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly and immediately call 911.

Are there treatments for aneurysms?

Yes. Because unruptured aneurysms are often asymptomatic, they are usually found during MRIs, CT Brain angiography, or scans conducted for other health issues. If an unruptured aneurysm is discovered, we can address it by either coiling or clipping.

Endovascular coiling is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat unruptured aneurysms. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin and guided to the affected artery in the brain. A coil is then deployed, either alone or in combination with a stent, to pack the aneurysm and seal it off permanently.

Aneurysm clipping, on the other hand, involves traditional brain surgery. In this procedure, a clip is placed over the neck of the aneurysm to ensure it is securely sealed. This seals the aneurysm, preventing blood from leaking in the case of a rupture or reducing the risk of future ruptures. It is crucial to perform this surgery within 48 hours of an initial rupture to minimize the risk of a second rupture occurring.

How can I prevent an aneurysm?

I understand that the concern about aneurysms can be overwhelming. While it’s not always possible to prevent them entirely, there are steps you can take to lower your risk. By avoiding smoking and working to manage high blood pressure, you can make a positive impact on your health. It’s also really important to talk with your doctor about your family history of aneurysms, as this can help guide your preventive care. You’re not alone in this, and there are ways to take control of your health.

In general, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent serious illness. This can include:

Exercising regularly
Avoiding excessive drinking and smoking
Having regular checkups and conversations with your primary care provider
Maintaining a healthy weight
Controlling diabetes
Controlling high blood pressure

Expert Care, Close to Home

USF and Lakeland Regional Health understand how important it is for you and your family to receive the best possible care, especially when dealing with conditions related to the brain, spinal cord, and neck. That’s why we have united to form a compassionate team of specialists dedicated to accurately diagnosing and effectively treating your injuries and illnesses. When you seek specialized neurological treatment, you can feel confident knowing that we are here to support you every step of the way, providing the highest level of care tailored to your needs.

Learn more:

Neurosciences Specialty Care at Lakeland Regional Health
Comprehensive Stroke Center