Arteriovenous malformations refer to faulty connections between the arteries and veins in our bodies. They are typically formed in people’s brains and spinal cords but may occur elsewhere in our bodies. What happens is that instead of oxygenated blood being delivered to our body cells, tissues, and organs where it is needed, it bypasses these destinations and goes directly to our veins before being directed back to the heart. This mistake takes place due to the lack of the necessary capillaries that are meant to serve as the delivery vessels.
Without the necessary oxygen and nutrients that are supposed to be delivered by the blood, the cells and tissues in question will begin to die off. As time passes without treatment, the affected area may continue to spread and affect a larger area.
Most instances of AVMs go undiscovered due to the lack of severe symptoms experienced by people with the condition in their spinal cord or brain tissue, but this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t present any symptoms at all.
Symptoms of Arteriovenous Malformation
Patients with AVMs may present with no symptoms at all, mild symptoms, or severe symptoms in relatively rare instances. These include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Developmental stagnation
- Dizziness
- Cognitive deficiencies
- Abnormal sensitivity
- Mobility issues
- Speech impediments
- Muscle weakness
- Visual deterioration
- Physical pain
- Headaches
- Seizures
Owing to the fact that AVMs typically grow and develop in patients over time, the symptoms may begin to show themselves at any age, although it is most common to observe in patients older than 20 years. Most of the problems associated with this condition are attributable to the neurological damage that patients experience over time, but the biggest danger is caused by the potential for hemorrhages.
Diagnosis and Treatment of AVM
Most cases of AVM are congenital, meaning people are born with them, but there are various methods medical professionals can use to determine whether you have an AVM or not. These include:
- Transcranial Dopler Ultrasound (TCD)
- Magnetic Resonance Angiography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Computed Tomography
- Cerebral Angiography
The above are all imaging methods and technologies that allow physicians to ‘see’ inside their patients and identify any problem areas.
The management and treatment of AVMs will depend on various factors, such as the severity of the condition, the patient’s age, and the risk factors associated with any treatment option. As such, how the condition is handled will largely be considered on a case-by-case basis. The most effective surgical treatment options include:
• Radiosurgery: This is the least invasive surgical intervention available to us and involves using intensely focused radiation to destroy the AVM and the blood vessels that comprise it. Over the course of the treatment, these vessels will atrophy and die off, thus resolving the problem.
• Endovascular embolization: This will involve passing a catheter through an artery until it reaches the AVM and injecting substances that will cause blood clots to form in the problem area (tiny balloons, fibre titanium coils). The result will be the blockage of any ruptures or fistulas that have occurred in the blood vessels.
• Conventional Surgery: Here, the surgeon will access the problem area and manually excise the AVMs central portion, which will include the fistula, while causing as little damage to surrounding tissues as possible. This type of intervention is discouraged in cases where the AVM is located deep within the patient’s brain.
Arteriovenous malformations constitute a serious medical risk to young and old patients alike and may strike anyone without advance warning or apparent symptoms. Owing to the nature of the condition and the sensitivity of the areas it tends to affect, treatment can be a highly sensitive undertaking that requires careful consideration and even more careful execution.
Because of these conditions, you should only put your faith in trusted, experienced, and dedicated physicians to handle the diagnosis and subsequent management of the condition. You can rely on Washington Vascular Specialists to provide you with world-class care that will help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible. Book your consultation today. You won’t regret it!
