North Carolina Neurological Foundation

Dedicated to Empowering Lives For Those Affected by Neurological Conditions.

Arteriovenous Malformation

Cerebral AVMs are congenital vascular anomalies consisting of tangled arteries and veins with direct arteriovenous shunting, bypassing the capillary network. They predispose to hemorrhagic stroke, seizures, and progressive neurological deficits. Diagnosis is confirmed by MRI, CT angiography, or digital subtraction angiography. Management options include microsurgical resection, endovascular embolization, radiosurgery, or observation depending on size, location, and rupture history. Prognosis depends on hemorrhagic risk and successful obliteration of the malformation.