If I have an unruptured aneurysm or AVM, should I get it treated right away?

This is an important discussion to have with the neurosurgeon. In general, if an aneurysm or AVM is considered high-risk for future rupture, treating it before it causes any harm is usually recommended. Factors like size, location, and your symptoms matter. For aneurysms, small ones (<5mm) in certain locations might be observed with serial scans, but larger ones or those with a concerning shape (bleb) often warrant treatment to preempt a bleed. For AVMs, doctors use a grading system to weigh the risk of surgery versus the risk of leaving it alone. Many unruptured AVMs, especially in younger patients, are treated electively because a successful treatment means you’re essentially cured and the lifelong risk of a brain bleed is gone. On the other hand, if an AVM or aneurysm is very small and in a very tricky location, sometimes monitoring might be advised – every case is unique. Rest assured, Dr. Murali Mohan S will carefully evaluate the specifics (for example, Is the aneurysm likely to rupture? Is the AVM in a part of the brain where treatment is very risky?) The decision is a balance of risks, but advances in treatment mean that if an aneurysm/AVM does need intervention, we have safe and effective ways to fix it. Many patients feel peace of mind after treatment, knowing they’ve been protected from a potential future hemorrhage. And indeed, outcomes are often excellent: treating a high-risk aneurysm early gives a patient a very good chance at a normal, healthy life without the worry of a rupture.