Arteriovenous (Avm) Malformation
Description
A congenital defect in which arteries and veins are tangled and not connected by capillaries. The lack of capillaries allows blood traveling through the abnormal vessels to flow rapidly and under high pressure and prevents the nutrient rich blood in the arteries from reaching the tissues. AVM can occur in many different parts of the body, but those located in the brain, brain stem and spinal cord (neurological AVM) can affect the entire body.
Symptoms
Depends on the location of the AVM but may include focal neurologic abnormalities or coma.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed in addition to a CT scan or MRI.
- CT Scan
- MRI
Treatment
Determined by the size and location of the AVM. Options include observation, embolization via a catheter, or surgical removal.
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Share Your Experience
Do you have experience with this disease? Do you or someone
you know suffer from Arteriovenous (AVM) malformation?
Please share you experience with other members of the iTriage community.
I have an intramedullary spinal cord AVM and aneurysm. The AVM bled a few years ago, causing severe neurological deficits to most of my left side - altered sensory perception, weakness, numbness, spasticity, nerve pain, etc. Both were embolized four years ago, 'obliterating' the AVM and leaving the aneurysm.
Deficits have progressed during the last year, year and a half, and latest angio 6 months ago shows the AVM has grown back. Will be having another angio in a few weeks, and hopefully the AVM will be embolized again then.
I did not know I had these malformations before the bleed. In years prior I had several different incidences of my left leg becoming weak and going out from under me, and also of severe, sharp pain in my back that radiated throughout my body. I didn't have medical insurance at those times and did not seek medical treatment. I am not certain that these incidences were early signs of the AVM or aneurysm - perhaps leaking or even bleeding - but looking back, I do tend to think they must have been related. The back pain was absolutely the worst pain I'd ever had in my life. It was absolutely a 'shocking' and jarring kind of pain, and I hope I never have to feel it again.
For the first four years after the bleed I had a diagnosis of cavernous angioma, and was told it was not treatable. Not wanting to have another hemorrhage I kept doing research and looking for someone who could help me. I eventually (finally) found a well known doctor in the southwest who performed my first angiogram and discovered what I really have and what had actually bled, and also was able to offer the treatment of embolization. I am very grateful.