What is the Pathology of Berry Aneurysms?

Berry Aneurysm
Berry Aneurysm. Angiogram of a young patient with a cerebral aneurysm (arrow). Current management of coarctation of the aorta. Suradi H, Hijazi ZM - Global cardiology science & practice (2015). Not altered. CC.

The pathology of berry aneurysms is:

-Etiology: The cause of berry aneurysms is the thickening of the walls of the blood vessels caused by smoking, hypertension, old age over 40 years, and familial inheritance.

-Genes involved: Unknown.

Pathogenesis: The sequence of events that lead to berry aneurysms results from the outpouchings in the blood vessel wall due to genetic factors and/or acquired illness.

-Morphology: The morphology associated with berry aneurysms are saccular, bright red with a  shiny surface and a thin translucent wall, and are 2mm to 2cm.

-Histology: The histology associated with berry aneurysms shows dilated vessels.

How does Berry Aneurysms Present? 

Patients with berry aneurysms are typically female at the age range of young adulthood to middle age. The symptoms, features, and clinical findings associated with berry aneurysms are blurred vision, drooping eyelids, weakness, or pain behind the eye. When they rupture, they cause severe headache, stiff neck,  confusion, increased intracranial pressure coma and may lead to death.

How is Berry Aneurysms Diagnosed? 

Berry aneurysms are diagnosed history taking and physical examination, CT scan, angiography. 

How is Berry Aneurysms Treated? 

Berry aneurysms are treated by endovascular coiling, surgical clipping. 

What is the Prognosis of Berry Aneurysms?

The prognosis of berry aneurysms is poor if it ruptures because on sustains a permanent neurological deficit.