A brain clip is a small, specialized metallic device used in neurosurgery. It serves as a permanent implant within the brain’s delicate vascular system. Neurosurgeons employ these clips to address specific conditions affecting blood vessels.
What Brain Clips Address
Brain clips are primarily used to treat cerebral aneurysms, which are weakened, bulging spots in the wall of an artery within the brain. These aneurysms can resemble a small sac extending from the side of a blood vessel. The concern with an aneurysm is its potential to rupture, leading to bleeding into the surrounding brain tissue, a condition known as a hemorrhagic stroke. This event can be life-threatening and may result in severe disability.
Clipping an aneurysm prevents blood from entering the weakened sac, thereby stopping a bleed or averting a future rupture. The clip works by sealing off the “neck” of the aneurysm, effectively isolating it from the main blood flow. This allows the aneurysm to shrink and scar over time, reducing the risk of further complications.
How Brain Clips Are Applied
The application of a brain clip involves a neurosurgical procedure known as microsurgical clipping, performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon begins by making an incision on the scalp, often behind the hairline, to create a bone opening in the skull, called a craniotomy. This temporary removal of a bone section allows access to the brain.
Once the brain is gently exposed, the neurosurgeon uses a high-powered operating microscope and small instruments to locate the affected blood vessel and the aneurysm. The goal is to carefully separate the aneurysm from surrounding brain tissue and blood vessels. A tiny metal clip, typically made of titanium, is then precisely placed across the neck of the aneurysm, effectively pinching it closed to block blood flow. After confirming the clip’s proper placement and ensuring no blood flows into the aneurysm, the bone flap is replaced and secured, and the scalp incision is stitched closed.
Living with a Brain Clip
Following brain clipping surgery, patients remain in the hospital for a few days to a week, or longer if a ruptured aneurysm was treated. During initial recovery, patients may experience fatigue and headaches, which can persist for several weeks or even months, especially after a ruptured aneurysm. The surgical incision site may also be tender or numb, and some patients report jaw pain when chewing.
The implanted brain clip is a permanent device and does not require removal. Modern brain clips are generally made from non-ferromagnetic materials like titanium alloys, making them compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at field strengths up to 3.0 Tesla. However, it is always important to provide specific implant information, such as the manufacturer and model, to healthcare providers before any MRI procedure.
Patients are advised to rest and gradually increase their activity levels during recovery, avoiding strenuous activities for about four weeks. Walking is encouraged to promote blood flow. Follow-up appointments with the neurosurgeon are important to monitor recovery and ensure the clip’s continued effectiveness. Individuals can return to their normal daily activities over time, with the clip providing a lasting solution to the treated vascular condition.