I had a brain aneurysm clipped in April 2011, followed by a staff infection in June 2011, and a cranioplasty in Jan. 2012.
Four weeks ago, I underwent open heart surgery for an ascending aortic aneurysm (another time bomb)- it's a complex surgery utilizing a heart/lung machine, etc.
Appears that not much research has been done to see if there is any linkage or correlation on one having both brain and aortic aneurysms. I'm skeptical and think there is a genetic link. Has anyone out there had both of these aneurysm types?
You know, it would stand to reason that if you've got weakened veins in your head, why wouldn't there be weakened veins elsewhere, like the heart.
In getting an AngioGram with contrast dye, can they not take a closer look at the heart as well as the head? I'd think it would be standard practice to do so, yet I know in my case the heart has never been 'looked at', just the head. Seems pretty absurd to have to go thru the ANgio and only get to have one area of the body looked at.
Thanks for your thoughts. When I hospitalized for the brain aneurysm, the hospital took a chest CAT Scan that detected the ascending aortic aneurysm and turned the issue over to a cardiologist. Apparently the only way it can be detected is through the Scan as there basically are no symptoms until it's too late. Mine was monitored for a year and a half and grew to a size where surgery was necessary. If it had ruptured, death would have most likely been the result, few survive.
Liam, so sorry that you have the infection. Mine was MSSA --The "cleanup" surgery was done May 27, 2011 followed by a week in the hospital. I was on home IV for 6 weeks but had a rash at week 5 so went on oral antibiotic for the last week. The bone flap had been thrown out due to infection. My neurosurgeon and plastic surgeon had me wait until January 2012 for the cranioplasty. They did a 3D MRI which was sent away to a manufacturer who supplied the prosthetic skull piece-- I believe it is acrylic held in place with titanium clips. Spent 4 days in hospital. My defect was on my left temple (ICA aneurysm was resting on my left optic nerve). There is a slight indentation but you can barely see any scarring- which is also covered by my hair. I had thin scalp in that area so they did a skin graft from my thigh to the back of my head so that they were able to move thicker scalp to the infected area. Have had no problems just waiting for all the nerves to heal; I am numb or tingling or itchy at times. P.S. I rarely wore the helmet when I was at home or at work (okd by my surgeon)-- but my plastic surgeon and cardiologist encouraged me to wear it. I hope all works out fine for you.
I have had both also! In 2003 I was diagnosed with an Ascending Aortic Aneurysm that required immediate surgery (same type as yours). I had no symptoms at all and It was found purely by accident. At the time I asked if this meant I was susceptible to other aneurysms, like in the brain. They all assured me they were completely unrelated. 10 years later I was in an ambulance screaming down the freeway with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.
When people tell me I am lucky, I always ask them if they would be willing to have both and win 10 million dollars if they survive. No takers yet. To answer your question I was told there is no name for my condition, but many of my arteries from the heart up are oversized. A General Vasculopathy or blood vessel disorder. I think you and I are in the very small minority and that even if they did find a correlation, there wouldn't be much they can do. Best of luck to you!
On the way to your brain they go past your heart. But they wont take any other measurements unless you specifically ask for it and they agree to do it. When you add the heart measurements you are doing two different studies and the insurance may not cover it unless it is medically indicated. I have asked twice and the doctor agreed twice. But in my case I would have needed both studies within several months anyway, so everyone was in agreement. All you can do is ask and see what they say.
According to my doctors, neurosurgeon and cardiac surgeon, there has not been a lot of research linking the types of aneurysms. Therefore, I haven't been able to find any statistics. Seems to me it would be rather common and people just aren't aware that they have them.
Harold, thank so much for your reply. Seems like you have spent some time looking into the links and causes of aneurysms. I, too, don't want to worry about what else might be not totally right in my body. I have traces of auto-immune disease, osteoarthritis, and nasal and food allergies yet my husband has never had any health issues other than tennis elbow! - Have a post op appointment Monday with my cardiac surgeon, I plan on asking him a few questions. Enjoy your weekend.