Sydney AVM provides expert advice on family screening for brain aneurysms in a safe and comfortable setting.
Brain aneurysms are more common in relatives of people with a brain aneurysm compared with the rest of the population. 10-20% of first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) of people with a brain aneurysm will also develop an aneurysm. That risk is higher in women, smokers, and people with high blood pressure.
Screening is a process where we perform a test (most often MRI) to look for a brain aneurysm, even if you have no symptoms, based on your family history. Screening is not for everyone – some people would prefer to know if they have an aneurysm whilst others would prefer not to know. It is easier to make this decision after undergoing a consultation with us at Sydney AVM where we can discuss your overall risk of having an aneurysm, and the positives and negatives of screening.
- If two first-degree relatives have brain aneurysms, the recommendation is that all other first-degree relatives should consider screening with MRI.
- If you have one first-degree relative who has had a brain aneurysm, you can consider screening after having a consultation with us. It is reasonable to undergo screening when you have a family history, but you should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of screening before you have a scan.
- After consulting with Sydney AVM, if you have decided you would like to undergo screening, we will organise an MRI for you at St Vincent’s Public Hospital, where the MRI department has expertise in the best imaging protocol for aneurysm detection – designed in conjunction with Dr Bhatia who also works in the same department. Dr Bhatia will then personally go through the results with you at the next consultation.
If you live far from Sydney, we can arrange for the initial MRI to be performed at a radiology practise closer to you. Tele-Health consultations can be organized on request, but where possible Dr Bhatia prefers to be able to communicate with you directly and in person.