Neurosurgery

Brain Avm (Arteriovenous Malformation)

Arteriovenous Malformation, or AVM, is an abnormal cluster of blood vessels in the brain or spinal cord. Normal blood vessels carry oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body, while AVM vessels carry blood without nutrients. Most researchers believe that almost all AVMs are congenital or present from birth. Blood is carried throughout the body by arteries branching into capillaries. It then returns to the heart via veins. In the presence of AVM, the arteries carry blood directly to the veins and bypass the intervening capillaries, creating a shunt that creates a short circuit.

What is AVM Symptoms?

AVMs usually do not cause symptoms. In some cases, it is found incidentally when evaluating other conditions. If it causes symptoms, it depends on the location of the malformation. In rare cases, AVM causes epilepsy, neurological problems, and pain. Cerebral AVMs can cause headaches and other specific symptoms depending on location.

AVM Treatment

In rare cases, especially in the elderly, leaving the AVM untreated and observing the patient may be the best option. For all other cases, there are 3 treatment options available: surgical removal, endovascular treatment, and stereotaxic radiosurgery. Even if the AVM disappears with radiosurgery, symptoms may persist. For example, in patients who had headaches and seizures before AVM treatment, complaints may continue even when the AVM disappears with treatment. In these cases, the reason is thought to be the scar tissue formed around the AVM along with the destruction.

In addition, while other radio-surgical systems can only treat AVMs in the brain, CyberKnife can also treat AVMs in the spinal cord too.

Fibo Health provides quality treatment options in Turkey to the patients who are coming from all around the world. Istanbul is one of the most populous cities in the world. There are many hospitals and clinics that provide world-class care for their patients. Fibo Health’s team searches for the best doctors and hospitals, so we make sure to bring you to the most experienced health care professionals in Turkey.