Dr. Chen is a neurosurgeon specializing in cerebrovascular, endovascular, and brain tumors.
Brain aneurysm treatment
Our neurosurgeons offer expert care for unruptured and ruptured brain aneurysms.
Brain aneurysm treatment
Our neurosurgeons offer expert care for unruptured and ruptured brain aneurysms.
Brain aneurysm treatment at UW Medicine
At UW Medicine’s Brain Aneurysm Center, our neurosurgeons focus on achieving the best possible outcome for every patient. As one of the largest and highest‑volume aneurysm programs in the Pacific Northwest, we combine deep clinical experience with access to leading neurological research and clinical trials. This allows us to offer the most advanced and innovative options for brain aneurysm treatment.
The main goal of brain aneurysm treatment is to help protect you and give you peace of mind by lowering the risk of bleeding in your brain. We understand how overwhelming and frightening this can feel, and you might be facing uncertainty right now. Please know that you aren’t alone—there are treatment options available, and many patients at UW Medicine experience excellent results and renewed hope.
We consider several factors when determining treatment, including:
- The aneurysm’s size and location
- Whether you have symptoms
- Your age and overall health
- Your risk factors for rupture
Watch the video to learn more about brain aneurysm treatment options. (Duration 1:55 minutes)
We offer advanced endovascular treatments, including aneurysm coiling and flow diverter stent placement, that let us treat aneurysms less invasively. And we can also perform aneurysm clipping in cases where open brain surgery is the best treatment option. There are two main types of surgery for a brain aneurysm. They are:
- Open craniotomy (surgical clipping): This procedure is done by removing part of the skull to reach the aneurysm. The surgeon places a metal clip across the neck of the aneurysm. This is done to prevent blood flow into the aneurysm bulge. Once the clipping is done, the skull is closed back together.
- Endovascular coiling: This is also called coil embolization. It is a minimally invasive method. It is the most common method used to treat brain aneurysms. An incision in the skull is not needed. Instead, a catheter is pushed up from a blood vessel in the groin into the blood vessels in the brain. Fluoroscopy (live X-ray) is used to help move the catheter into the head and into the aneurysm. Once the catheter is in place, tiny platinum coils are put through the catheter into the aneurysm. These soft coils are visible on an X-ray. They conform to the shape of the aneurysm. The coiled aneurysm becomes clotted off (embolization). That removes blood flow to the aneurysm to prevent rupture. This procedure is done with general anesthesia, sedation, or local anesthesia.
Another type of treatment we may recommend is a flow-diverting stent, a minimally invasive procedure designed to redirect blood flow away from an aneurysm.
Benefits and risks
What are the benefits of treating an unruptured brain aneurysm early?
Early treatment can lower the risk of rupture and potentially prevent serious, life-threatening complications. We want you to know that while this is a serious condition, treatment is available with a high rate of success and low risk of complications. We’re ready to answer your questions and discuss your treatment options.
What are the possible complications of a ruptured brain aneurysm?
In addition to rupture and bleeding, complications of a brain aneurysm include:
- Compression of the brain or cranial nerves, which can lead to nervous system problems like eye movement paralysis
- Hydrocephalus, which is fluid buildup in the brain
- Recurrence, which is when aneurysms happen again after treatment
- Vasospasm, which is the narrowing of the cerebral arteries that can lead to a stroke and even death.
What to expect at UW Medicine
Thanks to modern imaging and surgical procedures, it’s easier than ever to diagnose and treat brain aneurysms. You’ll find these procedures — and more — at UW Medicine.
- Unruptured aneurysm treatment: Our neurosurgeons offer planned procedures for people whose unruptured aneurysm should be treated.
- Ruptured aneurysm treatment: They also perform lifesaving emergency treatments to repair ruptured aneurysms.
- Quality care and experienced surgeons: Whether your aneurysm surgery is sudden or scheduled, you can have confidence in our team’s experience and expertise.
Our team also provides watchful waiting for people with small, unruptured brain aneurysms. If you have concerns about living with an unruptured brain aneurysm, don’t hesitate to contact us and request an appointment.
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Stephanie H. Chen, MD
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Louis J. Kim, MD, MBA
Dr. Kim specializes exclusively in the treatment of cerebrovascular and spinal vascular lesions such as brain aneurysms, AVMs, and cavernous malformations.
Michael Levitt, MD
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Michael Levitt, MD
Dr. Levitt specializes in minimally invasive treatment of diseases of the brain and spine.
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Laligam N. Sekhar, MD
Dr. Sekhar is a world-renowned expert in treating complex neurosurgical problems, particularly skull base tumors.
Harborview Medical Center
Brain Aneurysm Center
(Neurological Surgery Clinic)
908 Jefferson St., Ninth & Jefferson Building, 5th Floor
Seattle, WA 98014
Start a request online
If you've been recently diagnosed with an unruptured brain aneurysm and are not experiencing emergency symptoms, request a consultation today.
If you have not been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and have questions or concerns, it is important to start with your primary care doctor. If you do not have a primary care doctor, consider getting one at UW Medicine.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a ruptured and unruptured brain aneurysm?
A ruptured aneurysm, also called a brain bleed, occurs when the artery wall tears and starts bleeding. This causes severe symptoms, like a painful headache, and requires immediate care.
An unruptured brain aneurysm is a bulge in an artery wall that hasn’t torn.
What is recovery like after a ruptured brain aneurysm?
Recovery from a ruptured brain aneurysm varies depending on the severity of the bleed and the speed of treatment. Some people recover with minimal long-term effects, while others experience challenges with memory, movement and speech. Rehabilitation — such as physical, occupational or speech therapy — can play an important role in helping to regain function and independence.
Are there lifestyle changes I should make if I have an unruptured brain aneurysm?
If you have an unruptured brain aneurysm, your doctor may recommend steps you can take to reduce the pressure on your blood vessels and reduce the risk of a tear. This may include controlling your blood pressure, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol and managing stress.
Can you prevent a brain aneurysm?
You can’t prevent a brain aneurysm, but you can lower your risk. Managing high blood pressure, not smoking, limiting your alcohol use and staying physically active all help keep your blood vessels healthy.
What causes brain aneurysms?
Researchers don’t fully understand what causes brain aneurysms. To learn about the potential causes and risk factors, click here.
Brain aneurysm symptoms: When to seek care?
You may not know you have a brain aneurysm until it tears (ruptures). Most brain aneurysms have no symptoms and are small in size. Smaller aneurysms may have a lower risk for rupture. To learn about symptoms, click here.
How is a brain aneurysm diagnosed?
Often, we don’t find a brain aneurysm until after it’s ruptured. But it may also be found by chance during an imaging test for other reasons. Click here to learn more about the diagnostics and tests to diagnose a brain aneurysm.
What is a brain aneurysm?
A brain aneurysm, also called a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm, is a bulge in a weak area of the wall of a brain artery. This bulge makes the artery more likely to tear, or rupture, in that spot. To learn more about the types of brain aneurysms, click here.
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Treating a brain aneurysm with innovative care
Deborah Railton’s life was saved when she was rushed to Harborview Medical Center after experiencing a severe headache. Doctors discovered she had a ruptured brain aneurysm.
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3 Women Share Their Brain Aneurysm Stories
Hear from three women who were diagnosed with an unruptured brain aneurysm and learn how they were treated for it — and how they’re doing now.