Arteriovenous malformation - cerebral

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Arteries of the brain

AVM - cerebral

• Headache
  • Sudden and severe
  • Localized or general
  • Resembles migraine headache in some cases
• Vomiting that occurs with headache
• Vision changes
  • Decreased vision
  • Double vision
  • Blurred vision
• Seizures
  • Partial (focal) seizure
  • Generalized tonic-clonic seizure
• Muscle weakness , any part of the body
• Decreased sensation , any part of the body
• Mental status change
  • Sleepy , stuporous , lethargic
  • Confused , disoriented
  • Irritability
• Stiff neck

Additional symptoms:

• Speech impairment
• Smell - impaired
• Movement - dysfunctional
• Fainting
• Facial paralysis
• Eyelid drooping
• Ear noise/buzzing
• Dizziness
• Consciousness - decreased

A complete physical examination and neurologic examination are required.

Tests that may be used to diagnose an AVM include:

• Head CT scan
• Cerebral angiogram
• Cranial MRI
• MRA (magnetic resonance angiography)
• EEG (electroencephalogram) if symptoms include seizures

Review Date: 10/16/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.