Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
What is Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)?
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, which disrupts normal blood flow and oxygen circulation.
Arteries are responsible for taking oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain. Veins carry the oxygen-depleted blood back to the lungs and heart.
When an AVM disrupts this critical process, the surrounding tissues may not get enough oxygen. Also, because the tangled blood vessels that form the AVM are abnormal, they can weaken and rupture. If the AVM is in the brain and ruptures, it can cause bleeding in the brain (hemorrhage), stroke or brain damage.
The cause of AVMs is not clear. They’re rarely passed down among families.
Once diagnosed, a brain AVM can often be treated successfully to prevent or reduce the risk of complications.
About Iranian Surgery
Iranian surgery is an online medical tourism platform where you can find the best Surgeons in Iran. The price of Arteriovenous Malformation treatment in Iran can vary according to each individual’s case and will be determined by an in-person assessment with the doctor.
For more information about the cost of Arteriovenous Malformation treatment in Iran and to schedule an appointment in advance, you can contact Iranian Surgery consultants via WhatsApp number 0098 901 929 0946. This service is completely free.
Before Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment
Symptoms
Symptoms of AVM vary based on where it’s located. Often the first signs and symptoms appear after bleeding occurs. Besides bleeding, signs and symptoms can include:
. Progressive loss of neurological function
. Headaches
. Nausea and vomiting
. Seizures
. Loss of consciousness
. Other possible signs and symptoms include:
. Weak muscles
. Paralysis in one part of the body
. Loss of coordination that can cause problems with gait
. Problems performing tasks that require planning
. Weakness in the lower extremities
. Back pain
. Dizziness
. Vision problems, including losing part of your field of vision, loss of control of eye movements, or swelling of part of the optic nerve
. Problems with speech or understanding language
. Unusual sensations including numbness, tingling or sudden pain
. Memory loss or dementia
. Hallucinations
. Confusion
Children and teens may have trouble with learning or behavior.
One type of AVM called a vein of Galen defect causes symptoms that appear at or shortly after birth. A vein of Galen defect is located deep inside the brain. Signs can include:
. A buildup of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus) that causes enlargement of the head
. Swollen veins on the scalp
. Seizures
. Failure to thrive
. Congestive heart failure
When to see a doctor
Seek medical attention if you have any of the signs and symptoms of an AVM, such as headaches, dizziness, vision problems, seizures and changes in thinking or neurological function. Many AVMs are currently discovered incidentally, often after a CT scan or an MRI is obtained for reasons not directly related to the AVM.
Causes
AVMs result from development of abnormal direct connections between arteries and veins, but experts don’t understand why this happens. Certain genetic changes might play a role, but most types are not usually inherited.
Risk factors
Rarely, having a family history of AVMs can increase your risk. But most types of AVMs aren’t inherited.
Certain hereditary conditions may increase your risk of AVM. These include hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also called Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome.
Complications
The most common complications of an AVM are bleeding and seizures. If left untreated, the bleeding can cause significant neurological damage and be fatal.
Diagnosis
To diagnose an AVM, your doctor will review your symptoms and perform a physical examination.
He or she may listen for a sound called bruit. Bruit is a whooshing sound caused by very rapid blood flow through the arteries and veins of an AVM. It sounds like water rushing through a narrow pipe. Bruit may interfere with hearing or sleep or cause emotional distress.
Tests commonly used to help diagnose AVM include:
. Cerebral angiography. Also called arteriography, this test uses a special dye called a contrast agent injected into an artery. The dye highlights the structure of blood vessels to better show them on X-rays.
. Computerized tomography (CT). CT scans use X-rays to create images of the head, brain or spinal cord and can help show bleeding.
. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to show detailed images of the tissues. An MRI can pick up on small changes in these tissues.
. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). An MRA captures the pattern and the speed and distance of blood flow through the vascular abnormalities.
During Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment
Treatment
Treatment for AVM depends on where the abnormality is found, your signs and symptoms and your overall health, and the risk of treatment. Sometimes, an AVM is monitored with regular imaging tests to watch for changes or problems. Other AVMs require treatment. Determining whether an AVM needs treatment involves factors including whether the AVM:
. Has bled
. Is causing symptoms other than bleeding
. Is in a part of the brain that treatment can be safely given
Medications
Medications can help manage symptoms such as seizures, headaches and back pain.
Surgery
The main treatment for AVM is surgery. Your doctor might recommend surgery if you’re at a high risk of bleeding. The surgery might completely remove the AVM. This treatment is usually used when the AVM is in an area where surgeons can remove the AVM with little risk of causing significant damage to the brain tissues.
Endovascular embolization is a type of surgery in which the surgeon threads a catheter through the arteries to the AVM. Then a substance is injected to close parts of the AVM to reduce the blood flow. This might also be done before brain surgery or radiosurgery to help reduce the risk of complications.
Sometimes stereotactic radiosurgery is used to treat AVMs. This uses intense, highly focused beams of radiation to damage the blood vessels and stop the blood supply to the AVM.
You and your doctors will discuss whether to treat your AVM, weighing the possible benefits against the risks.
After Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment
Follow-up
After treatment for an AVM, you might need regular follow-up visits with your doctor. You might need more imaging tests to make sure that the AVM is resolved and that the malformation has not recurred. You’ll also need regular imaging tests and follow-up visits with your doctor if your AVM is being monitored.
Source:
I have an AVM in my temporal lobe left side ..
My doctor came in my room joking and picked up my cell phone before telling me anything about my situation .. Now I feel even more uncomfortable. If doctors can’t pretend to have compassion why would I let him do brain surgery on me. Also doctors are covered if the patient happens to screw up
Dear David
We feel how frustrated you are with this doctor, and you have every right to be. The best doctors do not always come with good manners, sometimes if they are qualified enough you have to put up with them or talk to them about how uncomfortable you are.
We are a medical tourism company and we would be honored if you wanted any service from us, even if its just coming to Iran for visiting its wonders.
May you get better soon
Iranian Surgery
Admission Department of International Patients.