Arteriovenous malformation
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are abnormal, snarled tangles of blood vessels that cause multiple irregular connections between the arteries and veins.
Contents
Pathophysiology
These malformations most often occur in the spinal cord and in any part of the brain or on its surface, but can develop elsewhere in the body.
Symptoms
AVMs can damage the brain and spinal cord by reducing the amount of oxygen reaching neurological tissues, bleeding into surrounding tissue (hemorrhage) that can cause stroke or brain damage, and by compressing or displacing parts of the brain or spinal cord. Many people with an AVM experience few, if any, significant symptoms, which can include headache, weakness, seizures, pain, and problems with speech, vision, or movement.
Causes
Most often AVMs are congenital, but they can appear sporadically. In some cases the AVM may be inherited, but it is more likely that other inherited conditions increase the risk of having an AVM.
Diagnosis
The malformations tend to be discovered only incidentally, usually during treatment for an unrelated disorder or at autopsy.
 Ad. Tired of being overweight?. W8MD's insurance Weight loss program can HELP* |
Quick links: Medicine Portal | Encyclopedia | Gray's Anatomy | Topics | Diseases | Drugs | Wellness | Obesity | Metabolic syndrome | Weight loss*
Disclaimer: The entire contents of WIKIMD.ORG are for informational purposes only and do not render medical advice or professional services. If you have a medical emergency, you should CALL 911 immediately! Given the nature of the wiki, the information provided may not be accurate, misleading and or incorrect. Use the information on this wiki at your own risk! See full Disclaimer.
Link to this page: <a href="http://www.wikimd.org/wiki/Arteriovenous_malformation">Arteriovenous malformation</a>
- Individual results may vary for weight loss from our sponsors.