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This angiogram of the brain reveals a cerebral

aneurysm at the bifurcation of two arteries.


What:
An aneurysm develops when the walls of a blood vessel weaken and
dilate to form a balloon like outgrowth filled with blood.

Causes:
Abnormal blood flow is big factor in the development of
aneurysms. The walls of the blood vessel can also weaken from a
variety of factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, damage
to the artery, aging, family history, and alcohol consumption.

Symptoms & Complications:

Un-ruptured aneurysms are often asymptomatic but can have various


symptoms depending on the size and location of the aneurysm, such
as headaches and vision problems.

After the aneurysm ruptures the patient will experience a sudden


headache, commonly described as the worst headache of their life.

Treatment:

There are two surgical options of treatment for aneurysms. When a


neurosurgeon uses surgical clipping, they perform an open head
surgery and place a clip on the aneurysm to stop its flow of
blood. When a surgeon uses the endovascular coiling method, they
insert a catheter into the leg and thread it through various
arteries until it reaches the site of the aneurysm. Multiple
coils of platinum wire are then used to, once again, cut
circulation to the aneurysm.
This MRI of the head reveals a brain tumour near the
surface of the brain.
What:
Brain tumors are abnormal growths of tissue in the brain. They
are classified as malignant (Cancerous) if they grow
aggressively, spread to the surrounding tissues, or travel to
other parts of the body. If the tumor is benign, (non-cancerous),
it does not display these traits.

Causes:
Abnormal cell grow can result from a family history or exposure
to various carcinogens (materials associated with a high cancer
rate). Other causes are not definite and more research is needed.

Symptoms & Complications:


Symptoms and complications largely depend on the size and
location of the tumor. Someone with a brain tumor could have
behavioral changes, reduced mental capacity, vision loss,
impaired speech, headaches, and muscle weakness.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on the age of the patient, the stage of the
tumor, and type and location of the tumour. Surgery typically
involves removing the tumor and may be done in conjunction with
radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Hydrocephalus occurs with an accumulation of CSF, as
pictured here with the lateral ventricles appearing much
larger than normal.
What:
Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid that protects the
central nervous system. It acts as a shock absorber and chemical
buffer. When this fluid accumulates in the brain, the individual
is said to have hydrocephalus.

Why:
An accumulation of CSF can result from anything that blocks its
flow, drainage, or an abnormally high production of CSF.

Symptoms & Complications:


Symptoms are can include headaches, vomiting, vision problems,
and poor coordination.

Treatment:
The only effective treatment is the insertion of a shunt system.
The shunt system drains the CSF to an area where it can be
absorbed naturally into the body.
The white circle highlights a disc herniation that is
compressing surrounding tissue.
What:

Disc herniations occur when the outer layer of the spinal discs
is weakened and allows the inner portion to push out, which
distorts the spinal discs and can compress, pinch, and/or damage
the spinal cord and surrounding nerves.

Why:
Factors that damage the outer layer of the spinal disc include
aging, diseases that harm the disc, and spinal cord injury.

Symptoms:
Symptoms include localized pain or numbness in the shoulders, arm
or chest; pain in the front of the thigh; or through the buttocks
and down the leg. Often there is a weakness associated with
affected area.

Treatment:
Some days worth of bed rest with pain-killers are often
effective. Otherwise, medication may be given to reduce the pain.
In some severe cases surgery is done to remove material
compressing the nerve.
The white circle highlights evident damage to the
brain.
What:
Any form of injury to the head.

Why:
Head injury can result from assault, a fall, a motor vehicle
accident, sports, and many other causes.

Symptoms:
Symptoms of a minor head injury include headaches, nausea,
blurred vision, a “dazed” feeling, “seeing stars”, or brief
unconsciousness. Severe head injuries can produce seizures,
permanent brain damage, or death.

Treatment:

Mild head injuries can be resolved with bed rest. Severe head
injuries may require surgery to release pressure and bleeding.
Many severe cases cannot be treated and are permanent. The best
treatment for head injuries is preventing them.
What:
A coma is an extreme state of unconsciousness. Comatose
individuals are alive, however they have limited upper brain
activity.

Why:
Comas can have multiple causes. They can be caused by diseases,
brain injuries, or chemical changes in the brain.

Symptoms:
Symptoms of a coma include a lack of response to sounds and
surrounding activity and an inability to wake the individual from
their stupor.

Treatment:
Generally the cause of the coma has to be treated to effectively
bring the patient out of the coma. If the cause of the coma is
unknown, then an assortment of general drugs is given.
What:
Meningitis occurs when the brain inflames as a reaction to a
bacterial or viral infection. This inflammation can be dangerous
as it can restrict oxygen flow to certain areas.

Why:
Meningitis can be acquired when the brain is exposed to bacteria
or viruses.

Symptoms:
The inflammation may cause a fever, lowered consciousness,
irritability, sensitivity to light, headaches, a stiff neck, skin
rashes, and seizures.

Treatment:

If the infection is identified as viral meningitis, treatment


will include rest, fluids and pain medication to reduce symptoms.
In bacterial meningitis, antibiotics are given immediately.
What:
Seizures are caused by sudden, uncontrolled electrical activity
in the brain.

Why:
Seizures can be provoked, through the use of certain drugs, sleep
deprivation, abnormal chemicals, and fever. Other times, seizures
occur for no known reason; if these seizures occur multiple
times, the individual is said to have epilepsy.

Symptoms:
Seizures are often associated with uncontrollable shaking, but
more often seizures result in only brief lapses of attention.
Depending on the location of the seizure, hallucinations, speech
problems and pleasant / unpleasant smells can be perceived.

Treatment:
When an individual is experiencing a seizure, the best form of
treatment is often to let the individual carry out the seizure,
making sure they don’t hurt themselves and are able to breathe
during the seizure. Following the seizure, medication can be
given to prevent further seizures.

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