DEAR DR. GOTT:
I was recently in the hospital because of lightheadedness. I am a 73-year-old woman with a history of brain aneurysm. In 1966 I was diagnosed with an aneurysm in the right side of the Circle of Willis (I guess you know what that means). Because of this, the hospital doctors ordered a CT scan of my head. No one told me anything but I got copies of my test reports and have determined I have encephalomalacia in the area of the right temporal lobe.

Because I can never talk to my doctor (only his assistants) I was hoping you could tell me what this means.

DEAR READER:
The Circle of Willis is an area at the base of the brain where several arteries join together. While all brain aneurysms are potentially dangerous, one situated in the Circle of Willis is especially so because the interior carotid arteries branch off from this area and supply about 80% of the brain’s blood. [Read more...]