Arteriovenous malformations: what are they, and are they life-threatening?
Written by:
Neurosurgeon
Published: 28/04/2022
Edited by: Conor Lynch
Top Doctors recently had the pleasure of speaking with revered and highly regarded consultant neurosurgeon, Ms Mary Murphy, who, in our latest insightful article, reveals whether arteriovenous malformations are brain tumours or not, what the main causes are, and how they are diagnosed.
Is arteriovenous malformation (AVM) a brain tumour?
No, they are vascular abnormalities. They arise when an abnormal tangle of arteries connects with a vein. Although this form a mass, it is not a tumour. They do not require chemotherapy nor radiotherapy in the way that tumours do, and they have a very different prognosis to tumours.
What causes AVM?
The exact cause is unknown actually. They occur from early childhood, maybe even from early development in the womb or conception. The most frequent ways in which we come to know that patients have AVM’s is when we scan them for other conditions (such as unconsciousness and seizures), and incidentally discover an AVM.
How is an AVM diagnosed?
These days, most diagnoses of brain problems are made with an MRI scan. Occasionally, CT scans can be carried out. We often do an MR angiogram, which is a particular sequence in the MRI machine that looks closely at the patient’s arterial blood vessels.
What are the initial signs of AVM?
AVM’s often cause no symptoms at all. The most common symptom that we would see would be seizures.
Is arteriovenous malformation life-threatening?
On a day-to-day basis, arteriovenous malformations are not life-threatening, but uncontrollable seizures can be life-threatening. Also, a bleed, if large enough, can be life-threatening.
Are arteriovenous malformations completely curable?
They are completely curable, but some are not. They can occur anywhere in the brain, and can come in any size. If they are extremely deep in the brain and quite large, it is quite difficult to treat.
Ms Mary Murphy is a highly experienced neurosurgeon who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of arteriovenous malformations. Consult with her today via her Top Doctors profile.