What if you suddenly get a severe headache like you've never had in your life? Or if you suddenly have a seizure-like condition for no reason? Although we often think of these things as normal, sometimes there may be a reason behind this that we haven't heard much about, but which we should be very concerned about. That's one such rare, but potentially serious condition that we're talking about today, called AVM.
Simply put, what is this AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation)?
Think of the blood circulation in our body as a system of roads. Arteries are like highways. They carry clean, oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain and all other organs. Veins are like small roads. They bring used, oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.
There is a junction between these highways (arteries) and the smaller roads (veins) to coordinate and control the speed. This junction is the network of tiny blood vessels we call capillaries. This is where the pressure of the blood coming from the highway is reduced, oxygen and nutrients are given to the surrounding tissues, and then sent back to the veins.
Now imagine, what would happen if, for some reason, this junction (capillaries) were to be missing, and the highway (artery) were to suddenly connect to a small road (vein)? When the high-speed, high-pressure blood flow rushes into a weak vein that cannot handle the pressure, that vein could burst.
That unusual, tangled tangle of blood vessels is what we call an Arteriovenous Malformation , or AVM . This tangled tangle, like a bird's nest, can pose a great risk.
There are two main types of AVMs:
Although AVMs can develop anywhere in our body, they can be mainly divided into two types.
| AVM type | Location and description |
|---|---|
| Brain AVMs | These are the most common. They can develop inside the brain tissue, on the surface of the brain, in the brainstem, or in the spinal cord. These are the most dangerous. |
| AVMs that occur elsewhere in the body (Peripheral AVMs) | These can occur anywhere outside the brain. For example, these nodules can also occur in organs such as the face, arms, legs, heart, liver, or lungs. |
What are the symptoms of an AVM?
The amazing thing about this is that about 15% of people with an AVM don't show any symptoms. Most of the time, you only find out you have one after it bursts and starts bleeding into the brain. However, some people may experience some symptoms.
| Symptom category | Possible symptoms |
|---|---|
| Brain-related Symptoms | |
| Nervous system problems | - Seizures with or without consciousness. - Severe, sudden headache . - Muscle weakness or complete paralysis on one side of the body. - Numbness in the body. - Problems with walking, speaking, memory, thinking, or vision. |
| Mental and emotional problems | - Nausea and vomiting. - Dizziness. - Mental confusion or hallucinations. |
| Symptoms in Other Body Parts | |
| Lungs, spine, and abdomen | - If the AVM is in the lungs, you may experience shortness of breath or coughing up blood when exercising. - If the AVM is in the spinal cord, sudden severe back pain and numbness in the legs. - Abdominal pain. |
| Limbs and skin | - Lumps appearing on the arms, legs, or trunk. - Pain and swelling in the affected area. |
Why do these AVMs form?
Scientists still don't know the exact cause of this condition, but they believe it's a congenital condition . This means that the blood vessel knots form as the baby grows in the womb. Very rarely, they can be passed down through generations.
What damage can an AVM cause to the body?
Having an AVM can cause three main harms:
- Bleeding: This is the biggest and most dangerous risk . When blood flowing from the arteries under high pressure enters weak veins that cannot withstand the pressure, the veins can burst. If this bleeding occurs inside the brain, it can cause a stroke, causing permanent brain damage or even death.
- Pressing on surrounding tissues: As the blood fills up abnormally, this blood vessel can enlarge and press on surrounding brain areas or nerves. This can cause symptoms such as seizures and muscle weakness.
- Depleting tissues of oxygen: Because the capillary junctions we mentioned earlier are missing, the oxygen and nutrients in the blood are not exchanged with the surrounding tissues. The blood goes directly from the artery to the vein. As a result, the tissues and nerve cells in the area do not receive the necessary nutrition and can die.
How does a doctor find this?
After listening to your symptoms, your doctor will examine you. Sometimes, when listening with a stethoscope, you may hear a distinctive "bruit" sound, which is caused by the rapid flow of blood through the AVM.
But to confirm for sure whether an AVM is present, several special imaging tests need to be performed.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan: Magnetic waves can be used to obtain very clear images of the brain and blood vessels.
- CT (Computed Tomography) scan: A series of cross-sectional images of the brain are obtained using X-rays.
- Catheter Angiography: This is the best test to look for an AVM. In this test, a small tube (catheter) is inserted through a vein in the groin or arm and guided to the blood vessels in the brain. A special dye is then injected into the blood vessels, allowing the location, size, and shape of the blood vessel to be seen very clearly on X-rays.
What are the treatments for AVMs?
The decision to treat an AVM, and if so, what treatment to use, will depend on several factors. Your doctor will consider your age, health, the size and location of the AVM, and the risk of it rupturing.
The main goal of treatment is to reduce or completely eliminate the risk of bleeding.
| Treatment method | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Surgery | This is the most successful treatment. A neurosurgeon makes a small incision in the brain, closes off the blood vessels that supply blood to the AVM and the blood vessels that drain it, and completely removes the blood vessel. If the AVM is completely removed, the disease is cured. |
| Embolization | This is not an operation. As with angiography, a catheter is inserted into the AVM and a special glue-like substance or small coils of wire are inserted through it to stop blood flow inside the blood vessel. This procedure is sometimes used to reduce the risk before surgery. |
| Gamma Knife® Radiosurgery | This is also not surgery. Here, a large number of radiation beams are aimed at the AVM with great precision. This radiation causes the blood vessel to gradually shrink, close, and become inactive over a period of months or years. |
Additionally, your doctor may prescribe medications to control symptoms such as seizures or headaches.
When to seek medical advice immediately!
It is an emergency if someone with an AVM experiences certain symptoms.
If you or someone you know suddenly experiences the "worst headache of my life", seizures, loss of a limb, or difficulty seeing/speaking, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) without delay.
These can be signs of bleeding in the brain. Getting treatment quickly can save lives and minimize brain damage.
Take-Home Message
- An AVM is a rare but potentially dangerous blood vessel tumor that is present at birth.
- The main and most dangerous risk of this is that it could burst and cause bleeding into the brain (stroke) .
- Most people have no symptoms. But if you experience symptoms such as a sudden, severe headache, seizures, or weakness on one side of your body, it is an emergency. Go to the ETU immediately.
- Today, there are very successful treatment methods such as surgery, embolization, and radiosurgery.
- If you are diagnosed with an AVM, don't panic. Talk openly with your doctor about the best treatment for your situation.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න