Brain aneurysms (also called cerebral aneurysms) are weaknesses in the walls of the blood vessels of the brain, usually occurring at a point where a blood vessel branches. This weakness causes a bulging in the wall of the blood vessel.

Aneurysms can rupture and cause dangerous bleeding into the brain. Sometimes, as an aneurysm grows, it may compress areas of the brain, resulting in various symptoms, such as blindness, seizures or paralysis. Additionally, some aneurysms contain blood clots that may dislodge and be carried further into the brain, which can lead to a stroke.

Endovascular surgeons at the Center for Endovascular Surgery often use the minimally invasive, endovascular treatment of embolization to treat brain aneurysms. Some patients, however, have cases that require an aneurysm clipping.

Aneurysm clipping is an open brain surgical procedure performed by the Center's affiliated neurosurgeons from the Center's larger division, Beth Israel's Hyman-Newman Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery (INN). An open brain procedure means that the neurosurgeon cuts through the skull of the brain while the patient is under general anesthesia

The goal of aneurysm clipping is to isolate an aneurysm from the normal circulation without blocking off any small arteries nearby. Once the skull of the brain is opened, the brain is drawn back to locate the aneurysm. The neurosurgeon then places a tiny titanium clip across the base or neck of the aneurysm to block the normal blood flow from entering. The aneurysm clipping works like a clothespin and remains in the brain permanently.