New Treatment Could Make Aneurysms Disappear without Major Surgery

An aneurysm is a bulging, weak area in a vessel in the brain and can be life threatening when it ruptures.

“The danger of an aneurysm is that it could rupture, causing a massive brain hemorrhage. If that were to happen, there would be a 50 to 60 percent chance that a patient would die or be disabled from that hemorrhage,” the Daily Mail quoted Maj. Christopher Koebbe, as saying.

Ten years ago, doctors would have attacked brain aneurysms through invasive open surgery with large incisions in the skull.

But a new super-glue-like fluid called Onyx has made the treatment a lot easier.

Researchers have tried Onyx, and say it’s a reasonable alternative to conventional surgical treatments.

“This is a great advancement,” Koebbe said. “We can basically fill the aneurysm from the inside out.”

Koebbe explained, “We actually make a small opening in the femoral artery in the groin area and track long catheters into the brain cavities, into the arteries of the brain.

“The minute that fluid hits the blood, it immediately polymerizes or forms a solid. The glue literally doesn’t escape the aneurysm. There’s no blood getting into the aneurysm.

“Thus, the aneurysm is cured, it’s not going to bleed,” he added.

“This new information is great news for The Joe Niekro Foundation.  Knowing that these advancements are being made as a result of our efforts continues to inspire us as we move forward to create more awareness and education about brain aneurysms,” says Natalie Niekro, president of The Joe Niekro Foundation which she formed after losing her father to a sudden ruptured brain aneurysm.

Click here to see a video about this amazing new procedure.

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