A RETIRED secretary who lived near Witney chose to have surgery on a brain aneurysm after she was made aware of the risks, an inquest was told.

Married mother Marjory Henderson, 68, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital on March 29 following complications arising from an operation to treat the aneurysm, a weak area in the wall of an artery supplying blood to the brain.

Assistant Coroner for Oxfordshire Nicholas Graham told Oxford Coroner’s Court yesterday that Mrs Henderson, of Charterville Close, Minster Lovell, decided to go ahead with the surgery on February 20 but it was not a success.

Consultant neuroradiologist Dr Rufus Corkhill told the hearing that before surgery Mrs Henderson was assured the aneurysm was at low risk of rupturing, but chose to proceed with the operation.

Dr Corkhill said it involved using a tiny balloon catheter, but this led to a rupture in an artery at the base of the brain, and the operation was stopped.

The inquest heard that after the surgery, Mrs Henderson’s condition worsened and she died on March 29.

Mr Graham recorded a narrative verdict. He said: “On February 20 Mrs Henderson underwent surgery on an aneurysm.

“She suffered a stroke and subsequent bleeding and sadly died.”

Mr Graham said the case involved a complex medical procedure “with the risks known to Mrs Henderson”.

He said: “The inflation of the balloon caused the rupture and appropriate treatment in my view was given.”