Skydiving with coiled brain aneurysm?

Hi,
does anybody have some information about skydiving with a coiled brain aneurysm? Maybe some other skydiver who had a aneurysm coiled or clipped or a neuroradiologist. It is very hard to find information about this topic and of course my doctors do not have statistical data.

I had a non-ruptured aneurysm on the left arteria carotis interna, that has been coiled about two weeks ago http://www.aneurysmfoundation.org/ba_treatment.html#ba_coiling

I asked multiple neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists about their opinon and got totally different replies. Some said it shouldn't be a problem after 2-3 months while others said they don't know, but wouldn't do it if there are any doubts.

This question is best answered by professionals: brain surgeons, aero-medical examiners and sports medicine specialists.
Aero-medical examiners (or military flight surgeons) certify pilots (and other aircrew) and will understand how air pressure changes will affect the aneurysm.
A sports medicine doctor will know if a whack to the head will loosen the aneurysm enough to kill you.

How is your blood pressure? Have you ever taken it pre and immediately post jump? If you've already had one aneurysm that required coiling its probably not a good idea to have your blood pressure jacked way up while skydiving or you may be risking a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The danger is probably not from the area where the coiling was done, but rather the fact that the vessel has had an aneurysm once. It may be prone to having another aneurysm distal to the area where the coiling was done if your blood pressure gets out of control.

If you had data regarding your blood pressure while jumping, your doctor may be able to give you a more definite answer.

Hi,
no I didn't take my blood pressure pre & post jump. Haven't jumped since the aneurysm was discovered during an MRI scan about 5 weeks ago. Normally my blood pressure is totally normal, no tendency for hypertonia.

I have to wait at least another 10 weeks until the thrombus around the coil is complete. It would be nice to know if I can put the idea of skydiving out of my head or if the risk is justifiable.

You should be scheduled for routine/repeat angiograms status-post coiling at 3, 6, and 12 months. If there is still no filling of the aneurysm at those dates you should be just fine to jump. Most all of the coils that are used today have a gelatinous coating that will cause the coiling to form a solid mass completely blocking off the aneurysm, theoretically returning the vessel to its pre-aneurysmal state.

*This is in no way advice for you to partake in any specific activity in conjunction with your current health conditions.

If it was me... I'd keep jumping, but that's just me.

Hi 4000m !

I'm in the same situation (coiled brain aneurysm), and ... I've same interrogations and doubts !

So ... are you still a skydiver ? What are your conclusion ?

Thks !

On 4/19/2010 at 11:27 AM, 4000m said:

Hi,
does anybody have some information about skydiving with a coiled brain aneurysm? Maybe some other skydiver who had a aneurysm coiled or clipped or a neuroradiologist. It is very hard to find information about this topic and of course my doctors do not have statistical data.

I had a non-ruptured aneurysm on the left arteria carotis interna, that has been coiled about two weeks ago http://www.aneurysmfoundation.org/ba_treatment.html#ba_coiling

I asked multiple neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists about their opinon and got totally different replies. Some said it shouldn't be a problem after 2-3 months while others said they don't know, but wouldn't do it if there are any doubts.

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