ICA-ophthalmic artery

Hi Joy

Please have a look at the following site which deals with risk in un-ruptured aneurysms, open the link for the full text in each sub section. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199812103392401

As with all aneurysms, size, location and age of the patient can change the risk.

Your specialist rates the risk very small, so I would not be too worried about this particular one.

However if it is praying on your mind, get is sorted!

I had one in the basilar region and one right side Opthalmic fixed last year by Endovascular treatment, (coiling) this one was 3.5mm, I had no symptoms at all.

The procedure was a breeze and I was in and out the hospital in 2 days.

The biggest issue that I find is living with these things, despite knowing that the risk is tiny in many instances, we are all different and handle the news differently.

Me for instance, I still have 3 un-treated ranging from 3 to 10mm which cannot be fixed by endovascular treatment, however after assessing the risk, I am leaving them alone until endovascular treatments improve!

New techniques are being developed year on year and what was not possible last year is now possible!

So, as I say above, it is about understanding risk and then making a qualified decision.

I hope that this helps you . Go well!

Kind Regards

MartinC

i had same one honey, mine was 4cm they thought it was 2cm Though mine was first operation like this it was presented in Japan by the wonderful DR that saved my life.That was in 1999 i’ve had another an several more surgerys on vessels wrapped around my brain stem . I’ll be 50 this yr god bless!!!

I have this aneurysm right side in the ophthalmic artery.I have it since 2003.They tried to fix it but couldn’t. I still have the aneurysm which a 4mm.They told me that its out of the brain.I haven’t had for problem yet.It’s been 12 years. I’m living my life.Take one day at a time. That’s all we have.Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanks Martin :) Does risk depend on where the aneurysm is on the ophtlamic artery? It sounds like many have had these treated. My doctor kept saying 0.02% risk for that size and location. I know we will all hear different things but it does sound like the vast majority have these fixed so it must be a dangerous spot. I don't think I'm eligible for coiling for some reason. Small neck? Wide neck? No clue. Best wishes to you! It's comforting to not be alone but I wish none of us had to be dealing with this!!!

Was also wondering if anyone knew if aneurysms in the opthalmic artery are considered fast growing or low risk? Are there journals or anything about which locations are the most dangerous? Thanks!!!


MartinC said:

Hi Joy

Please have a look at the following site which deals with risk in un-ruptured aneurysms, open the link for the full text in each sub section. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199812103392401

As with all aneurysms, size, location and age of the patient can change the risk.

Your specialist rates the risk very small, so I would not be too worried about this particular one.

However if it is praying on your mind, get is sorted!

I had one in the basilar region and one right side Opthalmic fixed last year by Endovascular treatment, (coiling) this one was 3.5mm, I had no symptoms at all.

The procedure was a breeze and I was in and out the hospital in 2 days.

The biggest issue that I find is living with these things, despite knowing that the risk is tiny in many instances, we are all different and handle the news differently.

Me for instance, I still have 3 un-treated ranging from 3 to 10mm which cannot be fixed by endovascular treatment, however after assessing the risk, I am leaving them alone until endovascular treatments improve!

New techniques are being developed year on year and what was not possible last year is now possible!

So, as I say above, it is about understanding risk and then making a qualified decision.

I hope that this helps you . Go well!

Kind Regards

MartinC

Hi Jennifer, sorry didn't notice your post right off. I would say my closest big city is Boston and perhaps Dartmouth-Hitchcock in NH. I hear good things about Dr. Olgivy (Sp?). I think he's in Boston. My surgeon is a top specialist despite practicing in a small hospital. They claim he is part of a relatively small group with this type of training. I trust him but then I get really scared. I have a young son and my mother died when I was a teenager. I don't want history to repeat itself but I understand that operating on a small aneurysm can be problematic. Plus I don't yet know if treating my AVM has caused a decrease in my aneurysm size. Sorry just rambling :) So thankful for this group.

Jennifer said:

Joy - if you can tell me what the closest large city is that you live near, I will tell you where to go for a second opinion. Don't live in fear, but DO get the very best medical opinions you can from the most experienced neurosurgeons. A doctor once told me that if you need surgery you want to find a surgeon who's done hundreds and hundreds of them before yours (with good outcomes). LMK and I will get back to you.

Hi joy.

The reason that so many are fixed is probably because they are easier to fix than more complex ones.

Size and location are always to be considered, it's like buying a house, location, location, location.

You will see from the link that I sent you the risk for small ones are extremely low, so chill and be guided by your specialist, if it was me I would go for endovascular treatment, as it is relatively un invasive as opposed to open surgery!

Get more info from you specialist and knowledge is power and you need the information in your hands to make decisions.

Cheers for now!

Martin

Hi joy I had an aneurysm on t optic nerve -though it was small-they decided to clip it-the reasoning was that as it grew I was at risk of going blind-they were unable to use t clip and decided they would wrap it-so far so good-xt hat was 7years ago.- I had already ,st that time had 2sahfor ruptured basilar tip aneurysms/ hope that helps you-I’m glad I had the operation but as I have 2 more the worry never goes -so enjoy each day jane

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Hello Joy,

I had a 12x9mm aneurysm in opthalmic artery treated with pipe embolisim in April. I was told I could have had it for years. It was only treated due to the size of it. I have two further very small aneurysms one fairly close to the one that was treated and one in the other artery. They will be left alone unless they grow.General advice here is that the very small ones are best left alone and may be put on"watch" but if no growth then no treatment is required. When I had the larger one treated I was fortunate to have the least invasive form of treatment. Short stay in hospital and quick recovery. I know I am lucky when I read others experiences. Hope this helps.

Yes, Dr. Christopher Ogilvy is supposed to be ā€œthe guyā€ in the Boston area. Just remember that yes, we want to like our doctors, but you must ALWAYS get more than one opinion. Different doctors have different levels of training and expertise. I have two young sons and last year a ā€œtopā€ surgeon at Yale operated on my ruptured aneurysm. He swore he did all he could but it was botched so badly, I had to search for a new surgeon who could fix it and save my life. I found him at NYU and he couldn’t believe what the other guy had done. I was lucky to get that second chance. You are lucky that you have some time to investigate. So for your child’s sake…go investigate :). Best wishes to you !

Has everyone here gotten more than one opinion?

I had 2 on my right ophthalmic artery. They were over 7mm. I went to Dallas and had Dr. White do the surgery on them. They were coiled and stented. I kept having severe headaches, blurry vision, and kept telling the doctors something was wrong until I got enough attention for someone to finally notice there was something really wrong. They found them in July, and operated in September. Never Ruptured. Went back to work in December. You will be ok. I know it is scary, but be glad you have found before they have gotten worse.

The first time I couldn’t because I was hemorrhaging and they just ambulanced me to Yale. But boy was I wishing I had time to research it. After surgery, when this guy luckily didn’t kill me, my dad (who is great about using his connections to find doctors) found me 2 in NYC. Both of them told me right off the bat that I’d die if I didn’t get re-clipped. But one wasn’t sure he could fix it and the other said ā€œI know I can do this.ā€ So after tons of research over a couple weeks, I went with him. He’s 100% responsible for saving my life. I even consulted with an attorney (a friend’s father) who defends doctors in malpractice lawsuits to make sure I was choosing the right guy.

Greetingz Joy!
Wishing you well. I had a right side opthalmic aneurysm 4.2 mm. I had endovascular coiling. Unfortunately, the coils migrated into middle cerebral artery. I had craniotomy 1 month later where my surgeon Wrapped the abeurysm to preserve my vision. I lived in NY at that time, my surgeon Dr. Solomon at NY Presbyterian took Excellent care of me. Was home in 2 days. I have some slight deficits, cognitve and short term memory issues…Not from the wrapping of my aneurysm, from the failed coiling which caused a small infarct. Just wanted to share my info. All in All, I was told, less than 3mm, the risk is low. They usually keep a watch. I hope this was helpful, and I’m sure you are in good hands. Although this can be very scary, you have alot of support here.
Blessingz to You~

Hello, my anuerysm is on my left araotid artery near the opthalmic artery. When they did the stent assited coiling I had a lot of floaters in my left eye but they ended up going away. It turned out that the opthalmic artery was completely blocked from the scarring that occured because of the surgery but the arteries in my face took over supplying blood to my left eye so I was very fortunate not to lose my eye sight! If your uncomfortable with waiting maybe it would help to get a second opinion from another doctor? I wish you well!!! Try not to worry! I know thats easier said than done!

Hi Joy - I have two fusiform, each about 4mm, one on each side of brain, opthalmic artery stems from aneurysm sacs.

i have seen drs here in Switzerland and have had opinions from US doctors as well, unclear whether to do clipping or coil+PED, or monitor.

I would like to connect with you to undrestand more about your current situation and how you are proceeding and dealing with all this -thanks!

Go to hopkins medicine.org
Look up neuro surgeons
Under view complete profile they will explain on video personally what they do in each case. As in Dr. Coon who does all three procedures.

I had my small ica aneurysm treated with the PED device at Johns Hopkins two years ago. Doing fine.

I had a 2cm one same place they operated in 1999.But when they got in it was 4cm I was told they only find those in aut

opsys.

I have Ehlers Danlos. Does anyone have pulsing in eye, i.e. pulsatile tinnitus in eye? Thanks - Huey

Huey - Ben’s Friends have a support group for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Look to the right and you’ll see where to click. Hope this helps…