ABSTRACT
Cerebral aneurysms (CAs) (Brisman, Song, and Newell 2006) are defined as brain blood-vessel dilations at spots with weakened walls and the formation of bulges. Compared with other kinds of aneurysms such as abdominal aortic aneurysms, CA ruptures are harder to predict due to their smaller size. The mean diameter of CAs is 5.47± 2.536mm in anterior cerebral artery, 6.84 ± 3.941mm in inferior cerebral artery, 7.09± 3.652mm in middle cerebral artery and 6.21±3.697mm in vertebrobasilar artery (Jeong, Jung, Kim, Eun, and Jang 2009). Though not all ruptures are fatal and some patients suffer no complications, the mortality rate is still relatively high. Based on the statistical data, there is a 40% chance of mortality within 24 hours and an additional 25% chance of death due to complications within the next 6 months (NINDS 2008). The mortality rate could be reduced if the growth and rupture of CAs or even surgical outcomes, in the future, become predictable.
