Aneurysm COW

MRA's of the brain are done for cerebral aneurysms.Some patients with acute ruptures present with a stabbing headache out of nowhere.  Others present with history of headaches in particular areas, eye pain, pulsing or family history of aneurysm.  Sometimes larger aneurysms can be harder to see on MR due to the fact of getting lack of flow in the bulb of the aneurysm.  If flow in the aneurysm is not flowing frequent enough it will not show up on the MRA as well due to the nature of the imaging.  Since brain MRA's are usually done non contrast, this can make a diagnosis difficult.  If a patient has an aneurysm they will usually require surgery and have a coil or clip placed to stop the progression and the possibility of rupture. The following website has great information regarding the whole aspect of cerebral aneurysms:  http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cerebral_aneurysm/cerebral_aneurysm.htm

The following images are of a middle cerebral brain aneurysm: