Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the brain and spinal cord are tangles of abnormal blood vessels. They can form wherever arteries and veins exist. The ones that form in the brain or spinal cord have the most serious symptoms.
AVMs are abnormal and complex connections between arteries and veins which interfere with the circulation of blood. As a result, some AVMs can burst and cause bleeding into or around the brain, which is also known as a haemorrhagic stroke. A haemorrhagic stroke is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.
AVMs can occur anywhere there are blood vessels, including the brain. It is believed that most AVMs develop before birth when the brain is developing, although they are thought to be relatively rare in children.
The exact cause of an AVM is not known, however they are thought to develop in a child during their mother’s pregnancy, or soon after birth. AVMs are not directly inherited, they are not infectious and do not spread to other parts of the body.
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) | Barrow Neurological Institute
Arteriovenous Malformation - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment | NORD (rarediseases.org)
Brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): Causes & Symptoms (clevelandclinic.org)
Arteriovenous Malformation of the Brain - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)
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