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Arteriovenous malformation - cerebral - Overview

Alternative Names

AVM - cerebral

Definition of Arteriovenous malformation - cerebral:

A cerebral arteriovenous malformation is an abnormal connection between the arteries and veins in the brain that usually forms before birth.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is unknown. The condition occurs when arteries in the brain connect directly to nearby veins without having the normal vessels (capillaries) between them.

Arteriovenous malformations vary in size and location in the brain.

An AVM rupture occurs because of pressure and damage to blood vessel tissue. This allows blood to leak into the brain or surrounding tissues, and reduces blood flow to the brain.

Cerebral AVMs occur in less than 1% of people. Although the condition is present at birth, symptoms may occur at any age. Hemorrhages occur most often in people ages 15 - 20, but can also occur later in life. Some patients with an AVM also have cerebral aneurysms.

  • Reviewed last on: 11/4/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Selman WR, Blackham K, Tarr RW, Ratcheson RA. Vascular diseases of the nervous system: Vascular malformations. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel Gm, Jankovic J, eds. Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier; 2008:chap 55D.

Zivin JA. Hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 237:chap 432.

Brown RD Jr. Unruptured brain AVMs: To treat or not to treat. Lancet Neurol. 2008;7:195-196.

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