[How to Appropriately Communicate about Risk with Patients Diagnosed with Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms?]

Abstract

Unruptured intracranial aneurysms are rare and occur in approximately 3% of adults. Explaining the natural course of aneurysms and risk communication are challenging because most patients are asymptomatic and patients perceived risk often exceeds the actual risk. This article discusses the following five aspects of risk communication on the natural course of the disease and treatment decisions: 1) the natural course of cerebral aneurysms, 2) how aneurysms should be followed upon if no interventions are planned, 3) how to explain treatment risks, 4) whether follow-ups are needed after treatment, and 5) lifestyle-related behaviors to prevent rupture. Discussions with patients should be carefully planned to avoid increased stress and fear. Long-term follow-up data of patients who did not undergo interventions indicated that only 25% of patients with aneurysms experienced a fatal rupture; most die from other causes. Patients with aneurysms require education on lifestyle-related risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, and lack of daily exercise.