A Patient's Guide To Brain Avms

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the brain, it can be a stressful and confusing time. You, as well as other family and friends, may have concerns about what the diagnosis means for the patient's long-term health and whether treatment is possible. To help alleviate these anxieties, this article provides answers to common questions about brain AVM.

What is an AVM of the brain?

An AVM of the brain (also known as a cerebral AVM) is a disorder of the body's circulatory system. AVMs occur when an intricate tangle of blood vessels directly diverts blood from the arteries to the veins. Though localized in the brain, cerebral AVMs can lead to severe neurological problems. Left untreated, a cerebral AVM can cause severe hemorrhaging, which may lead to serious complications or death.

How common are cerebral AVMs?

It is estimated that an AVM of the brain occurs in approximately 1 in every 200 to 500 people (less than one percent of the general population). Cerebral AVMs are commonly misdiagnosed, with most cases found only incidentally through the performance of CT (computed tomography) and/or MRI scans on the brain. Patients often complain of regular headaches and seizures before diagnosis.

Other neurological complications can develop including speech and visual difficulty, dizziness, memory deficits, confusion, hallucinations, dementia and difficulty with event planning. Physical side effects range from loss of coordination, numbness, tingling and spontaneous pain to permanent paralysis. Patients' symptoms may be directly associated with the location of the cerebral AVM with certain sites causing hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is caused by a cerebral AVM preventing the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid thereby causing fluid build-up in the skull.

How is an AVM of the brain diagnosed?

Brain AVMs can be diagnosed using a few methods, with the most non-invasive techniques being CT and MRI scans. Both scans reveal lesions while CT scans are particularly helpful in showing hemorrhaging. Three dimensional representations of cerebral AVMs can be detected by CT and MRI imaging.

A more intricate process in identifying an AVM of the brain involves angiography. A contrast agent, or water-soluble dye, is injected into the brain allowing an x-ray to deliver more precise images that highlight blood vessel structure.

How can brain AVMs be treated?

Brain AVMs can be difficult to treat and often require a multidisciplinary approach to therapy. The method of treatment performed should be thoroughly evaluated with the surgeon identifying the best option on a case-by-case basis.

Endovascular embolization is a minimally-invasive treatment option for cerebral AVM that involves the intentional closing of blood vessels. It may be done as the sole form of treatment or in preparation for microsurgical resection or radiation therapy. For patients with cerebral AVMs that cannot be cured due to the size or location of their lesion, embolization can be palliative. This means that the procedure is not a cure, but rather offers an improvement to the patient's quality of life by diminishing symptoms such as headaches, seizures or other problems.

If you'd like to learn more about treatment options for cerebral AVM and other vascular disorders of the brain, please visit: http://www.vascularcarenyc.com/.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any question you may have regarding a medical condition.

R.L. Fielding Bio

R.L. Fielding is a freelance writer who has written on a wide variety of topics, with special expertise in the education, pharmaceutical and healthcare, financial service and manufacturing industries.