Hi, so they found my splenic and brain aneurysm when I was being screened for an aortic aneurysm. My mom, and her brother and dad all had aortic aneurysms, her brother died from his. I met with a doc that studies familial inheritance for aortic anuerysms and she thought mine splenic one was unrelated to their aortic ones. She has moved from the area, and now my brain one is in the equation. I feel like since we all have aneurysms there is a chance it is related to something familial. I am not sure where to look for the right doctor to ask about that. I am wondering because I want to know if my kids should be getting screened as young adults. The most common guidelines I have found are if you have two first degree relatives with brain aneurysms then get screened. But they only have me (but then all the aortic ones in my mom’s family). My sister was recently screened and she is clean, aorta, brain and spleen. My brother is planning to get checked soon, though his aorta was clear at a screening 12 years ago. Heart docs see my aorta is clean so don’t assume familial issues. I am the only one we know of that has a brain aneurysm, so no cluster there. And yet there is for sure a cluster of assorted anuerysms, but no known connective tissue syndrom. Just thought it would be worth asking here.
I was the only one, that we know of in my family, that had a brain aneurysm. Neither of my sisters got checked and both of my parents had passed. Both of my young adult children were screened with MRA and they plan to do it again at the 10 year mark. They were covered by insurance which, of course, is an important consideration. I certainly felt better knowing that they do not presently have an aneurysm. If they are able to do it, it will give you peace of mind for their sake, and then you can hopefully focus on what you need to have taken care of.
Hi There,
I’m sorry to hear about your family health history. I’m sure it is hard to relax when you are worried about your children. To be honest you have every right to be concerned. I was diagnosed 11 years ago with a brain aneurysm located in the ophthalmic artery. My neurosurgeon said it was small and suggested wait and watch ( basically no surgery just follow up MRI’s yearly). I was very concerned the first five years and always worried about my kids but I was told it was not likely they had anything. Well three years ago almost to the day my son had brain surgery to clip and coil a brain aneurysm in his carotid artery. Symptoms were similar to mine ear noise and fullness and facial discomfort with headaches. They always told us it was allergies. Then he found a physician that asked about family health history and ordered an MRI. That saved his life. Unlike me his grew in two months and two months later after 2 other opinions they went ahead with surgery. He has had two angiograms since then to check the artery and coil. He is on a blood thinner for life but has resumed all normal activities. He will be 30 years old this week. After his diagnosis all my children were recommended for brain scans. Only two others went. They were clear. The third has not gone.
I would probably ask loved to get scans just to have piece of mind while you do more research.
I hope you find some comfort in knowing that there are things you can do to help you get answers.
Please take care.
Lyd
Before I left NSICU after I ruptured, my Neurosurgeon directed us to contact my siblings and their children as she believes there is a genetic trait. I also remember reading that if one has an aneurysm, they can develop anywhere in the body. My GYN holds this belief. I found this article Routine screening for individuals with a family history of aneurysm - Mayo Clinic
My father had SLE and I have developed Dermatomyositis after I ruptured, no one else in the family has a connective tissue disorder. I think a medical geneticist would be the doctor who may be able to answer your question.
When they found my cranial aneurysms I notified my family, as I’m from a family with 11 kids and 8 are still living. I learned my oldest brother has an abdominal aneurysm and a middle sister has an atrial aneurysm!! I would think it’s genetic so hopefully I can remember to ask my doctor next time we talk!
Thank you so very much for the Mayo Clinic link! Now I can forward it to my family and validate my recommendation to get screened!!