Compassionate Arteriovenous Malformation Care
Some people who have an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) know about their condition early on. For others, the diagnosis comes as a surprise. Within the AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute network, we specialize in helping people with brain AVMs at all ages and stages, and we know how different the condition can be for every person.
Whether your AVM just needs ongoing monitoring or you’re a candidate for our advanced minimally invasive procedures for AVMs, you’ll find every option you need from the expert neurologists at our state-of-the-art centers.
What to Know About Arteriovenous Malformation
With arteriovenous malformation (AVM), you may find out about your condition incidentally (by accident) or experience symptoms. No matter where you are on your path, count on us to deliver an accurate diagnosis, develop a well-rounded treatment plan and answer your questions. You'll never have to wonder what's next, because our neurovascular team will be there to guide your every step.
- What Is an Arteriovenous Malformation?
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Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) happen when a group of blood vessels in your body form incorrectly, usually during prenatal development.
Normally, arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain, and veins carry blood with less oxygen away from the brain and back to the heart.
A brain AVM is a tangled malformation of arteries and veins in the brain or its covering that directly connects and bypasses normal tissue and diverts blood from the arteries directly to the veins.
Brain AVMs are highly rare and occur in less than 1% of the general population. Although present at birth, the condition might not become apparent until later in life.
Many AVMs are only discovered during treatment for another unrelated health condition, or during an autopsy. Many people with AVMs never experience problems.
Over the course of a lifetime, AVMs will grow and change along with a person’s body. They’re more common in men, and the risk of developing AVMs may be genetic.
The biggest concern for people with brain AVMs is uncontrolled bleeding, or a hemorrhage. Less than 4% of AVMs hemorrhage, but when it happens, the effects can be severe and even fatal. About 1% of people with AVMs die from the condition.
- Arteriovenous Malformation Symptoms
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Depending on where it’s located, AVM brain symptoms can vary. The physical symptoms of an AVM can include:
- Backache
- Bleeding
- Buzzing sound in the ears
- Changes in the sense of smell
- Changes in vision
- Dizziness
- Drooping eyelids
- Facial paralysis
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of sensation
- Muscle weakness
- Pain
- Problems speaking
- Problems with motion
- Seizures
Many people only find out about an AVM when it bleeds, which can cause a stroke. But, if you suspect you have an AVM, contact your doctor, even if the symptoms are not obvious.
If you experience severe symptoms such as a seizure, numbness, vomiting or physical weakness, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
Left untreated, AVMs displaying these symptoms can enlarge and rupture, causing intracerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage, which can lead to permanent brain damage.
- How Do You Diagnose AVMs?
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The two most common ways to detect AVMs are through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) brain scans. Sometimes, a doctor will use an angiogram to identify what type of AVM a patient has. Repeated testing can help monitor changes in an AVM’s size, as well as to detect new lesions or bleeding.
- Arteriovenous Malformation Treatment
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How to treat AVMs depends on the size, location and type of lesion. Before our team designs a treatment plan, we assess factors like:
- The size of the tumor
- Whether the tumor has bled
- Whether the tumor is growing
- Whether the tumor is in an area of the brain that’s difficult to treat
Once the AVM is assessed, our team can offer the full spectrum of treatment options for AVMs, which includes:
Neurointerventional Radiology or Endovascular Neurosurgery
Sometimes, a catheter can be placed inside the blood vessels to block the abnormal vessels with materials like coils or glue. This can help treat either part or all of an AVM.
Medical Therapy
If the AVM is in a part of the brain that can’t be easily treated, or if there are no serious symptoms, you may be able to manage your AVM by avoiding excessive exercise and blood thinners.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
We can encourage an AVM to clot by focusing a concentrated, high-energy source on the AVM to create a scar. Stereotactic radiosurgery is recommended for smaller AVMs that are in harder-to-reach areas of the brain that regular surgery might not work for.
Traditional Surgery
Your doctor may recommend surgery if the AVM is in an area of the brain that can be easily accessed, or if it has bled.
Find a Neurology Provider in Your Area
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Discover Your AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute Network
Across the nation, each of our locations shares the same commitment to innovation, expertise and a whole-person approach. Explore your options for care close to home with the guidance of our dedicated team. We’ll help you find the right fit, so you’re in the best setting to get the care you need.
