An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a congenital vascular anomaly in which arteries and veins connect directly without intervening capillaries. This abnormal network can disrupt normal blood flow and oxygen delivery to surrounding brain tissue, increasing the risk of rupture, hemorrhage, seizures, or neurological deficits. AVMs can occur in the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral regions. Symptoms may include headaches, seizures, weakness, numbness, vision changes, or speech difficulties, depending on the AVM’s location. Early identification and careful evaluation are crucial to prevent life-threatening complications and plan safe, effective interventions.
Diagnosis involves detailed neurological examination and advanced imaging techniques such as MRI, CT angiography, and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). These modalities help determine AVM size, location, feeding arteries, draining veins, and rupture risk. Functional imaging may be used to map critical brain areas near the AVM. Comprehensive assessment allows precise treatment planning, ensuring maximal safety while minimizing neurological compromise.
AVM management depends on size, location, and rupture risk. Options include microsurgical resection, endovascular embolization, stereotactic radiosurgery, or a combination. Microsurgery removes the AVM completely, endovascular embolization blocks abnormal vessels, and radiosurgery gradually obliterates the AVM. Treatment aims to prevent hemorrhage, relieve symptoms, and preserve neurological function, tailored to each patient’s anatomy and clinical condition.
Post-treatment recovery involves monitoring for neurological changes, managing complications such as edema or seizures, and gradual return to daily activities. Rehabilitation may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or cognitive therapy depending on deficits. Follow-up imaging ensures complete obliteration and early detection of recurrence. Timely intervention and structured care improve neurological outcomes and quality of life for patients with AVM.
Dr. Vamsi Krishna, Consultant Neurosurgeon at Yashoda Hospitals, Hitech City, Hyderabad, specializes in complex cerebrovascular disorders. His expertise in microsurgery, endovascular procedures, and radiosurgery ensures safe, precise AVM management, optimal neurological preservation, and excellent long-term outcomes, making him a trusted specialist for AVM care.
