I had an MRI/MRA done a couple weeks ago because of some headaches I’ve been having for 3-4 months. The neurologist said I had a 1mm outpouching on my anterior communicating artery that favored an aneurysm vs an infundibulum. She referred the diagnosis to a neuro interventionalist to consider an angiogram.
The referral was supposed to be urgent but it took 3 business days plus a weekend before I heard back. Meanwhile I was extremely stressed out. Thinking the worst. And Dr. Google was feeding into all my worst fears. I can’t tell you how many studies I read trying to figure out how dangerous this was. I kept reading that aneurysms on the ACoA tend to burst when they are smaller because of the small size of that artery. I got into a really, really dark place. Very scared and all I could think about was how is my wife (who has had an extremely difficult 4 years) going to get by without me. I prayed all the time. Thanking God for every thing and my trust in Him never waivered. But I could not turn my brain off.
The following Monday I got a copy of the imaging and dropped it off at the specialist’s office myself. I also got a copy for myself. I was torn if I should open it or not but I gave in and did it. I was surprised to find the MRA was a 3D TOF using a 3T MRI, so from what I understand it’s about the clearest non-invasive scan I can get. I couldn’t really see anything. I did see a sharp bend at what was a very odd ACoA because I didn’t have a typical Circle of Willis. My right A1 is hyperplastic (I think that’s what it’s called) so instead of having a normal 1-2mm ACoA, it’s actually around 4-5 mm and feeds both A2 arteries.
The neuro interventionalist’s office said he would review and if it was urgent they would get me right in. If not, it could be a month or so. I looked him up. He has a lot of experience which made me feel better. He reviewed the scans that afternoon and his office called back and said it’s not urgent. Next opening was in January. But they did just have a cancellation and asked if I wanted to come in on Wednesday. I said of course!
I felt better but I was still worrying. My wife and I finally met him and he was great. Really put me to ease and got me out of my head.
He said the outpouching was so small that he’s not even sure it’s an aneurysm. He said it could be the start of a small artery offshoot and the only way he could tell for sure would be to do an angiogram with dye and x-rays. He said if it is an aneurysm that it’s the tiniest one he’s seen in his 20+ years doing this. I caught my breath for the first time in a week and shed a few tears right then.
He explained the procedure to me and also the slight risk of dislodging platelets and causing a stroke. He said the other option is to monitor it. Maybe another MRA in 6 months, but he thought that could even be too soon. He said he’d have to get some input from his colleagues on a good schedule.
He told me it’s only my decision to make, not his. I told him I needed to clear my head and pray about which direction to go. He says I have plenty of time to decide and it’s not an emergency. He also said it is not what’s causing my headaches. (I do have other things I think might be causing them).
He did review the imaging with me and that sharp corner I saw is the outpouching. I can try to get some pictures of it if anyone is interested.
All in all, I think it’s the best news I could have gotten. It might not even be an aneurysm, and if it is, it’s extremely small.
I’m leaning towards monitoring it. But open to opinions from people that have dealt with this.
I also have a colleague and his father is a radiologist and he asked his dad to look. His dad said there’s nothing alarming but admitted his specialty is not the brain.
I’m also considering a 2nd opinion.
I don’t know how this forum is about religion, but God has been very good to me. If anyone wants me to pray for them I would be happy to. I’ve been in the darkest of dark and I know how scary it can be. At first I was ecstatic that it wasn’t a tumor or cancer, but the more I learned about aneurysms the more worried I got.
I’m sorry for anyone that is having to deal with this. I’m here for anyone that wants to talk though.