MIAMI -- According to national statistics, 1 in 15 people in the United States may develop a brain aneurysm during their lifetimes.

Most aneurysms are only discovered when they burst, which can lead to brain damage or death.

For Carmen Graff, the discovery came before disaster struck.

"I was going through standard medical tests prior to fertility treatments and doctors discovered two aneurysms in my brain," she said.

The news left Graff shaken.

"My mother died of an aneurysm at the age of 53, so of course needless to say I was completely beside myself," she said.

Dr. Ali Aziz-Sultan, a neurosurgeon with Jackson Memorial Hospital, said aneurysms develop when a weakened blood vessel bulges and blood pools in the area.

"The same causes that can affect your heart and other vessels in your body can also cause aneurysms," said Sultan.

In many cases, treatment requires surgery to secure the weakened vessel with a metal clips or coils.

But there are times when that approach won't work.

"These are cases where the aneurysm is in a dangerous location, hard to reach or odd in shape," said Sultan.

In those circumstances, Sultan utilizes a procedure called cerebral embolization.

Through an artery in the leg, surgeons thread a catheter into the brain and seal off the aneurysm with a special liquid called Onyx 500.

"It's basically a plastic co-polymer and when it's injected into the aneurysm it solidifies in a minutes, filling the aneurysm," Sultan said.

Shortly after the procedure, Carmen and her husband adopted a baby and are now sharing the joy of raising their child.

"I feel great, back to normal, like nothing ever happened," she said.

To reach Dr. Sultan call 305-355-1101.