Arteriovenous Malformation
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are collections of abnormal blood vessels within the brain or spinal cord. These vessels create an abnormal connection between the blood vessels bringing blood to the brain and those which remove it, effectively short-circuiting the system. These AVMs have thin-walled vessels which have a tendency to hemorrhage or bleed. In addition, AVMs can cause headache or seizure. They can even mimic stroke. In some people, treatment of the AVM is recommended. Three methods of treatment exist at this time. First, the vessels can be surgically removed. Second, the AVM can be shrunk or eliminated with a focused form of radiation. Third, the AVM can be filled with a special glue via an angiogram catheter.
For those patients where treatment is recommended, the surgeon, radiation specialist, and interventional radiologist work closely together to plan therapy, utilizing one of the techniques listed above. The treatment team looks at each case individually and decides on the safest and most effective course of action. Highly specialized, sophisticated equipment is available to carry out treatment plans at the highest available standard.
|
