What is an AVM?
Definition of an AVM
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.
What is the danger of an AVM?
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.
Where can AVMs occur in the body?
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.
What causes a Brain (Cerebral) AVM?
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.
Common Symptoms
- Seizures
- Headache or pain in one area of the head
- Muscle weakness or numbness in one part of the body
- Sudden, severe headache
- Weakness, numbness or paralysis
- Double vision, crossed eyes, vision loss
- Difficulty speaking
- Confusion or inability to understand others
- Severe unsteadiness
What is your story?
Looking back, what do you now think was an early sign of the AVM? Tell us your story, help our research.