Aneurysm: Meaning in a Radiology Report

Also written as: aneurysmal dilatation, aortic aneurysm, intracranial aneurysm, saccular aneurysm

An aneurysm is a bulge in a weakened artery wall, most often in the aorta or a brain artery. Its size and growth guide what happens next.

What it means

A healthy artery has a smooth wall and an even width. An aneurysm is a spot where the wall has weakened and bulged outward. It can balloon out on one side (saccular) or widen all the way around (fusiform). In the abdominal aorta, a width of 3 cm or more counts as an aneurysm. In the brain, most are small berry-shaped bulges where arteries branch.

When it matters

Many aneurysms cause no symptoms and are found by chance. The main concern is that a large one could burst, so doctors focus on its size, shape, location and growth. Small ones are often checked with repeat ultrasound, CT or MRI over the years. Larger or growing ones may lead to a referral to a vascular surgeon or brain specialist to discuss repair. Smoking and high blood pressure raise the risk of growth.

Questions to ask your doctor

How big is the aneurysm, and exactly where is it?
How often should it be checked, and with which kind of scan?
At what size or rate of growth would repair be considered?

General information, not medical advice. What a finding means for you depends on your symptoms, your history and the images themselves, so talk your results through with a doctor.