Who is brain aneurysm screening recommended for?
Brain aneurysms tend to run in families. If you have:
First-degree relatives consist of:
A large study showed 10% of individuals with a strong family history of brain aneurysms have an aneurysm identified on their first screening. Even after prior negative screens, the study also showed that in each serial screening new brain aneurysms are discovered in approximately 5% of individuals.*
- One first-degree relative diagnosed with a brain aneurysm - screening is suggested
- Two or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with a brain aneurysm - screening is recommended
First-degree relatives consist of:
- Parents
- Siblings
- Children
A large study showed 10% of individuals with a strong family history of brain aneurysms have an aneurysm identified on their first screening. Even after prior negative screens, the study also showed that in each serial screening new brain aneurysms are discovered in approximately 5% of individuals.*
Risk factors for brain aneurysms
Factors you can control:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Family history
- Age over 40
- Female sex (3:1 female to male in our practice)
How is brain aneurysm screening performed?
- Formal screening is completed with MR angiogram of the head without contrast, preferably on a 3 Tesla scanner.
- Baseline screening can start at age 20 or older. Screening may begin earlier if there is a family member with a brain aneurysm diagnosed at a younger age.
- Screening should stop once the patient is in their 70s.
How often is screening recommended?
One first-degree relative with a brain aneurysm
Two or more first-degree relatives with a brain aneurysm
- Serial screening MRAs should be completed every 10 YEARS beginning at the next 10th interval birthday (i.e. 20th, 30th, etc).
- If family history changes from 1 to 2 or more first-degree relatives, then screening frequency should be increased to every 5 years.
Two or more first-degree relatives with a brain aneurysm
- Serial screening MRAs should be completed every 5 YEARS beginning at the next 5th interval birthday (i.e. 25th, 30th, 35th, etc).
Schedule a brain aneurysm screening
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
Schedule an MRA in our Neuro-Interventional Radiology Clinic by calling (612) 863-4808.
Local facility
If you are unable to come to Abbott Northwestern Hospital, you can have your MRA sent to our Neurointerventional Radiologist at the address below. We will review the imaging, determine appropriate screening intervals and contact you for a formal phone consultation.
Send a CD of the MRA to:
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
NIR Radiology – Zip 11113
800 East 28th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407
Include with the imaging:
Schedule an MRA in our Neuro-Interventional Radiology Clinic by calling (612) 863-4808.
Local facility
If you are unable to come to Abbott Northwestern Hospital, you can have your MRA sent to our Neurointerventional Radiologist at the address below. We will review the imaging, determine appropriate screening intervals and contact you for a formal phone consultation.
Send a CD of the MRA to:
Abbott Northwestern Hospital
NIR Radiology – Zip 11113
800 East 28th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407
Include with the imaging:
- Your name
- Address
- Telephone number
- Name/relationship of relative (if they are a patient in our practice)
Reference:
* Bor, ASE, Rinkel, GJE, van Norder, J, Wermer, MJH. Long-term, serial screening for intracranial aneurysms with family history of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a cohort study. The Lancet Neurology. 2014 Apr;13.
* Bor, ASE, Rinkel, GJE, van Norder, J, Wermer, MJH. Long-term, serial screening for intracranial aneurysms with family history of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a cohort study. The Lancet Neurology. 2014 Apr;13.
