Arteriovenous Malformations

Arteriovenous Malformations

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Today there are many safe and highly effective therapies available to treat arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). These include surgery, radiation therapy, embolization and radiosurgery using a machine called a Gamma Knife.

• Surgery -- In many cases, surgery may be recommended to completely remove the AVM. In addition to conventional brain surgery, we offer advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat AVMs.
• Embolization -- Embolization also may be part of your treatment plan. This technique aims to reduce blood flow to the AVM by obstructing surrounding blood vessels. During this procedure, the AVM is filled with specially designed coils, glues or spheres, which plug its vessels. As a result, blood flow is decreased, making the AVM more manageable for future procedures such as surgery.
• Radiosurgery - - The Gamma Knife, an advanced radiosurgery treatment for abnormal blood vessel formations, is often recommended for people with complex, deep seated or brain stem AVMs. Despite its name, it isn't a knife at all. It delivers a single, very finely focused, high dose of radiation precisely to its target, while causing little or no damage to surrounding tissue. The Gamma Knife may be used in combination with other treatments, such as surgery, or by itself as the primary therapy.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated February 26, 2008