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The Surgical Technologist
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DECEMBER 2014
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complications from a ruptured aneurysm including hydro-
cephalus and vasospasm. Individuals who are diagnosed
and treated prior to the rupture of an aneurysm require
less rehabilitative therapy and recover quicker than patients
whose aneurysm has ruptured.
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C O N T I N U E D R E S E A R C H
The primary source of research on disorders of the brain is
the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
(NINDS), a component of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) within the US Department of Health and Human
Services. Part of the NINDS’ focus is conducting research
on cerebral aneurysms. In one of its studies, 4,000 patients
from 61 sites across the United States, Canada and Europe
participated. Findings suggested that the risk of rupture for
the majority of those experiencing a very small aneurysms
was low. The results provide guidance to individuals and
physicians facing the difficult decision about whether or not
to treat an aneurysm surgically.
In a collaborative research effort being conducted in
the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, sci-
entists are seeking methods for identifying possible genes
that may increase the risk of the aneurysm development.
This study involves 475 families with multiple affected fam-
ily members. Researchers hope to determine the effect of
environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking and high
blood pressure, on those genes. The relationship between
intracranial and aortic aneurysms has been recognized
but poorly quantified. Some data indicate that individu-
als and families harboring one type of aneurysm might be
at increased risk for other types hence the need for more
research regarding chromosomes, chromosomal regions,
and the identification of aneurysm-related genes.
There are indications that aspirin may lessen inflam-
mation in cerebral aneurysms and reduce their incidence
of rupture. Scientists using enhanced MRIs to monitor the
signal generated by macrophages hope to determine if daily
aspirin intake for three months will reduce the MRI signal
changes generated by macrophages in the aneurysm wall. In
addition, research has determined that rates of intracranial
aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage are significantly
higher in women after menopause than in men. Estrogen
replacement therapy helps reduce the risk for subarachnoid
hemorrhage in post-menopausal women. Researchers con-
tinue to investigate the role of estrogen in the pathophysi-
ology of intracranial aneurysms. Other research projects
include studies of the effectiveness of microsurgical clip-
ping and endovascular surgery to treat various types of
ruptured and unruptured aneurysms, the use of various
types of coils to block the flow of blood into the aneurysm,
and the aspects of blood flow (hemodynamics), such as
blood flow velocity and blood pressure, in initiating cere-
bral aneurysms.
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A B O U T T H E A U T H O R
Shontell Reed-Hatcher, CST, has
been a Certified Surgical Tech-
nologist for more than 14 years.
She is currently employed at the
University of Maryland Medi-
cal Center and a member of the
neurology and liver transplant
team. Aneurysm clippings has been one of her favorite sur-
geries to scrub. She wishes to thank Dr Enslin F Aldrich,
MD, and Dr J Marc Simard MD, PhD, for their continued
support, encouragement and input for this article. She
thanks chief resident Dr Adam Polifka, for lending her his
neurology books to use as resource for this article, and
chief resident Dr Gary Swartzbauer for his input.
Shontell enjoys her career, working with these doc-
tors and helping with life-saving procedures. Lastly, she
sends love and appreciation to her husband Ben, her three
children, Imani (19), Benjamin (9) and Isaiah (8) and to
her all her family and friends for all their guidance and
support.
R E F E R E N C E S
1. American Association of Neurological Surgeons (2009). Cerebral aneu-
rysm. Retrieved from
/
Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Cerebral%20Aneurysm.aspx.
2. Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Malformation Foundation (2010). About
brain aneurysm. Retrieved from
html#ba_structure.
3. Beck, J; Raabe, A; Szelenyi, A; Berkefeld, J; Gerlach, R; Setzer, M; Seifert,
V. (2006). Sentinel headache and the risk of rebleeding after aneurysmal
subarachnoid hemorrhage. Stroke. American Heart Association: Dal-
las, TX.
4. Khurana, V; Spetzler, R.
The brain aneurysm.
Authorhouse: Blooming-
ton, IN. (2006).
5. Koos, W; Spetzler, R.
Color atlas of microneurosurgery.
Thieme Stuttgart;
New York. (1997). p122-123.
6. Mayfield Clinic & Spine Institute. Unruptured aneurysm. Reviewed by
McMahon, N. and Zuccarello, M. (2003). Retrieved from
mayfieldclinic.com/PE-AneurUn.htm.
7. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Cerebral aneu-
rysms fact sheet. National Institutes of Health Publication No. 13-5505:
Bethesda, MD. (2013).
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receives second chance.
health/success-stories/cynthia-hood
