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Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is sometimes defined as a "tangle" of veins and arteries. Veins and arteries both carry blood throughout the body. Arteries carry blood containing oxygen away from the heart and to the body, while veins carry blood back to the heart and lungs. Between the arteries and veins, there are small vessels (capillaries) that carry oxygen to the surrounding tissues.
When an AVM occurs, the capillaries are not present, and blood travels directly from the artery into the vein. Without those vessels, the blood going from the artery into the vein may flow with too much pressure. An AVM can occur anywhere in the body.
This condition is very rare and affects less than 1 percent of people in general.
Experts are not sure exactly why AVMs happen in most cases. They are usually present at birth, but doctors believe that some people can develop AVMs later in life.
This condition seems to be inherited (passed down through a family) in rare cases, but it may also happen by chance. Males have AVMs more often than females.
Some of the symptoms of AVM are:
When any of these symptoms are severe, it is a medical emergency and could be a sign of bleeding in the brain. Note that seizures are a medical emergency in all cases unless your child has a known seizure condition.
In some rare cases, an AVM in the brain may also result in the child suddenly being unable to speak or understand other people when they speak. This is also an emergency.
If your child's doctor suspects an AVM in the brain, they will likely order imaging tests to confirm it. These may include:
None of these tests are painful, though angiography requires a needle stick. Depending on your child's age, they may need to be sedated or put to sleep for some of these tests.
Your child's treatment options may depend on where the AVM is located in the brain. Some treatment options for brain AVMs are as follows:
In this procedure, a tube is placed into an artery in the groin and pushed through the artery all the way to the brain. The blood flow into the AVM is reduced or stopped by injecting a substance like glue into that part of the artery.
Embolization is preferred because it does not involve brain surgery, but not all AVMs can be treated this way.
This treatment uses carefully measured radiation beams aimed at the AVM. The radiation damages the vessels so that they eventually close themselves off.
This treatment is useful for small AVMs or those that are difficult to reach with open surgery or with an embolization. This type of treatment reduces the risk of bleeding in the brain.
Some AVMs can only be treated by open surgery. Open surgery involves cutting a hole in the skull close to the AVM. Using a microscope and special instruments, the surgeon will cut and close the veins near the AVM, removing them from the brain. They will then repair the skull and close the skin.
To schedule an appointment with the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery, call 412-692-8650. Online scheduling is also available for both in-person and video visits.
Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Our main hospital address is:
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh One Children’s Hospital Way 4401 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224
In addition to the main hospital, Children's has many convenient locations in other neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
With myCHP, you can request appointments, review test results, and more.
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