Updated September 10, 2014.

Table of Contents
What is Arteriovenous Malformation?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations

What is Arteriovenous Malformation?
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a congenital disorder characterized by a complex, tangled web of arteries and veins. An AVM may occur in the brain, brainstem, or spinal cord and is caused by abnormal development of blood vessels.

The most common symptoms of AVM include hemorrhaging (bleeding), seizures, headaches, and neurological problems such as paralysis or loss of speech, memory, or vision.

Is there any treatment?
There are three general forms of treatment for AVM: surgery; embolization, which involves closing off the vessels of the AVM by injecting glue into them (embolization is often used before surgery) and radiosurgery, which involves focusing radiation on the AVM.

What is the prognosis?
AVMs that hemorrhage can lead to serious neurological problems, and sometimes death. However, some people have AVMs that never cause problems.

What research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports a wide range of studies that explore the complex mechanisms of normal brain development. The knowledge gained from these fundamental studies provides the foundation for understanding how this process can go awry and, thus, offers hope for new means to treat and prevent congenital disorders including AVM.

Organizations:

Angioma Alliance
107 Quaker Meeting House Road
Williamsburg, VA   23188
info@angiomaalliance.org
http://www.angiomaalliance.org/
Tel: 866-HEAL-CCM (433-5226) 757-258-3355

International Radiosurgery Support Association (IRSA)
P.O. Box 5186
Harrisburg, PA   17110
getinfo@irsa.org
http://www.irsa.org/
Tel: 717-260-9808
Fax: 717-260-9809

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT   06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org/
Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

Last updated December 16, 2004

Table of Contents
What is Arteriovenous Malformation?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?
Organizations

What is Arteriovenous Malformation?
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a congenital disorder characterized by a complex, tangled web of arteries and veins. An AVM may occur in the brain, brainstem, or spinal cord and is caused by abnormal development of blood vessels. The most common symptoms of AVM include hemorrhaging (bleeding), seizures, headaches, and neurological problems such as paralysis or loss of speech, memory, or vision.

Is there any treatment?
There are three general forms of treatment for AVM: surgery; embolization, which involves closing off the vessels of the AVM by injecting glue into them (embolization is often used before surgery) and radiosurgery, which involves focusing radiation on the AVM.

What is the prognosis?
AVMs that hemorrhage can lead to serious neurological problems, and sometimes death. However, some people have AVMs that never cause problems.

What research is being done?
The NINDS conducts and supports a wide range of studies that explore the complex mechanisms of normal brain development. The knowledge gained from these fundamental studies provides the foundation for understanding how this process can go awry and, thus, offers hope for new means to treat and prevent congenital disorders including AVM.

Organizations:

Angioma Alliance
107 Quaker Meeting House Road
Williamsburg, VA   23188
info@angiomaalliance.org
http://www.angiomaalliance.org/
Tel: 866-HEAL-CCM (433-5226) 757-258-3355

International Radiosurgery Support Association (IRSA)
P.O. Box 5186
Harrisburg, PA   17110
getinfo@irsa.org
http://www.irsa.org/
Tel: 717-260-9808
Fax: 717-260-9809

National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT   06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org/
Tel: 203-744-0100 Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

Last updated December 16, 2004