An Arteriovenous Malformation, commonly called an "AVM" is an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein. There are two main types. One is a true "Brain AVM", the other involves the lining of the brain, a "Dural AVM". "Brain AVM" involves the blood vessels inside the brain. "Dural AVM" involves the arteries lining the brain, and may involve your eye causing it to bulge and be red, or the area around your ear and cause you to hear a "whooshing" sound like a washing machine, usually at night.
HOW IS AVM DETECTED?
Brain AVM may cause seizures, severe headaches, or may rupture and cause bleeding in you brain. If there is bleeding, this is a serious emergency. If someone has seizures or headaches their doctor may order a CT Scan or an MRI which will detect a Brain AVM.
Dural AVM will usually have characteristic symptoms that your doctor will suspect an AVM is causing. A swollen red eye (or eyes), or a whooshing sound that matches your heart beat (tinnitus) are characteristic symptoms. Usually your doctor will then order an MRI which may or may not detect the AVM. You may then need an angiogram.
HOW IS AVM TREATED?
First an angiogram is performed, which is where a small tube (a catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel in your groin and advanced into the blood vessels that go to you brain and contrast ("dye") is injected to see the blood vessels. This will "map out" the AVM and show the abnormal connection between the artery and the vein.
Brain AVM treatment
will usually involve combined treatments with a Neurosurgeon and an Interventional Neuroradiologist. The Interventional Neuroradiologist will perform an embolization prior to the surgery.
Dural AVM treatment can be performed in the same room as the angiogram. The Interventional Neuroradiologist can block the blood vessels involved, either the artery or the vein, to cure the problem (see "Embolization" below)