Untangling Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain

By Jody Smith HERWriter

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An arteriovenous malformation of the brain (AVM) is a tangle of arteries and veins, which short-circuits healthy blood flow. Blood which normally is pumped through arteries then through smaller vessels called capillaries, is instead sent back through the veins to the heart.

Nourishment of the tissues with oxygenated blood should take place within the capillaries but an AVM has no capillaries. Tissues nearby an AVM can therefore be starved from oxygen deprivation.

AVMs can occur in many places in the body, but they are predominantly found in the brain or the spine. We will concern ourselves here with the ones that occur in the brain.

The cause of arteriovenous malformations of the brain is unknown. They are usually formed congenitally, or before birth.

A person with an AMV might not experience any symptoms throughout their lives, or they may at some point experience headaches or seizures, or symptoms that are much more serious, some of them quite dangerous.

Large AVMs can put pressure on the brain, causing neurological problems that can become progressively more severe. Blood vessels can rupture, resulting in a hemorrhage, or bleeding in the brain.

If a hemorrhage should occur, symptoms may resemble those which are brought on by a stroke. These symptoms may include severe headache of a sudden onset, difficulty in speaking, an inability to understand the words spoken by others, visual disturbances, vomiting, weakness, numbness and unsteadiness.

A hemorrhage is most likely to occur in people between the ages of 15 and 20, though this can also happen later in life. A hemorrhage can be a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical attention.

An arteriovenous malformation of the brain can bring on other complications.

An aneurysm may develop due to pressure on blood vessel walls, and there is a risk that it may rupture.

Some AVMs will grow bigger, involving more arteries. This can can move or put pressure on the brain. The cerebrospinal fluid (protective fluids which need to flow freely around the brain, acting as a shock absorber) can be restricted. Brain tissue can be damaged or destroyed from being pushed up against the skull, causing a condition called hydrocephalus.

Pregnancy may initiate or increase symptoms, due to increased blood volume and blood flow that a pregnant woman experiences.

While symptoms can occur at any stage of life, after the age of 50 brain AVMs have been found to be less likely to cause problems.

Resources:

Brain AVM
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/brain-avm/DS01126

Arterio-Venous Malformation
http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/cerebro/AVM.html

Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/252426-overview

MedlinePlus: Arteriovenous malformation - cerebral
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000779.htm

Arteriovenous Malformations
http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site2162/mainpageS2162P4.html

Arteriovenous Malformations (and Other Vascular Lesions of the Central Nervous System)
http://www.medicinenet.com/arteriovenous_malformation/article.htm

Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.