AVM resection

What it is:

AVM resection is a surgical procedure to remove an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) a tangled mass of abnormal blood vessels where arteries connect directly to veins without capillaries, disrupting normal blood flow and oxygen delivery. AVMs are typically congenital and most commonly occur in the brain or spinal cord.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of AVMs vary but may include:

• Seizures
• Headaches
• Dizziness or confusion
• Muscle weakness or coordination problems
• Numbness or tingling
• Vision or speech difficulties
• Memory loss
• Stroke-like symptoms if the AVM ruptures

Treatment:

Treatment options depend on AVM size, location, and risk of rupture:

• Microsurgical resection: The AVM is carefully separated from brain tissue and removed via craniotomy.
• Endovascular embolization: A catheter delivers a substance to block blood flow to the AVM, often used before surgery.
• Gamma Knife radiosurgery: Focused radiation shrinks the AVM, used when surgery is risky.
• Medications: To manage symptoms like seizures or headaches.
• Monitoring: In cases where surgery poses high risk, regular imaging may be used to track changes.