Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)
A brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare condition in which a network of abnormal blood vessels disrupts normal blood flow between the arteries and veins of the brain. Most AVMs are thought to be congenital (present at birth), although the exact cause is not always known. In rare cases, they may be associated with head injury. AVMs can lead to serious complications, including bleeding in the brain, brain damage, stroke, paralysis, and long-term disability.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include headaches, seizures, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, tingling or numbness, vision problems, hearing difficulties, memory impairment, and changes in personality.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Radiological imaging is the primary method used to diagnose an AVM. Treatment may include medication to control symptoms, manage seizures, or regulate blood pressure. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove the AVM. Advances in neurosurgical techniques have made many previously inoperable AVMs more accessible and safer to treat. Once successfully treated, AVMs generally do not recur, and the risk of complications is typically low.
Current treatment options include:
- Embolisation Embolisation is a minimally invasive procedure in which a catheter is inserted through an artery in the groin and guided to the brain using X-ray imaging. The catheter is used to inject an embolising agent (“glue”) that blocks the arteries supplying the AVM, reducing its blood flow.
- Radiosurgery Radiosurgery uses precisely targeted radiation to treat small AVMs that have not caused bleeding. No incision is required. Focused beams of radiation are directed at the AVM to damage and scar the abnormal blood vessels, causing them to clot and gradually close over a period of one to three years.
- Microsurgical Resection Brain surgery to remove the AVM may be recommended if bleeding has occurred and the AVM is accessible for surgical treatment. The surgeon uses a high-powered operating microscope to identify, isolate, and remove the AVM while preserving surrounding healthy brain tissue.
Recovery
Recovery time varies from patient to patient and depends on the size, location, and structure of the AVM, as well as the type of treatment performed. Dr Tollesson will discuss the expected recovery process and any post-operative care requirements based on your individual circumstances.
