The circulatory system, which consists of your
heart and blood vessels, is vital to the optimal function and survival of all
the organs in your body. Any abnormality or obstruction in the flow of your
blood can place certain tissues or organs at risk of deteriorating, which can
lead to permanent damage. Therefore, defects in your blood vessels, namely the
arteries, capillaries, and veins, can interfere in the circulation of your
blood.
What is blood vessel malformation?
Also referred to as arteriovenous malformations
(AVMs), blood vessel malformation is an abnormal connection between arteries
and veins. AVMs are typically present at birth any may or may not be
symptomatic at first, and it can begin anywhere in the body, even in the spinal
cord and brain, which can cause neurologic symptoms, such as headaches and
seizures.
How can you find out if you have this disease?
Infants with major blood vessel malformation may
have a bluish tint to their skin due to the poor circulation. Moreover, the
symptoms of the AVM will depend on the malformation’s location, size, risk
factor for the AVM, and the type of blood vessel involved. For instance, AVMs
in the chest or abdomen can lead to abdominal pain, chest pain, back pain, and
irregular sounds of the affected vessels. On the other hand, AVMs in the brain
can result in persistent headaches, memory lapses, confusion, and bleeding in
the skull.
How can an MRI help in pinpointing the location of the malformation?
Blood vessel malformations are best imaged using
a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan as it can clearly show tangles of blood
vessels or lesions, which usually appear as flow voids. An MRI is a noninvasive and
non-radioactive way of identifying and characterizing AVMs present in the body.
How can detecting the malformation help in treatments?
After detecting the AVM with an MRI, a physician
can better decide on which treatment is best for the patient. Common treatments
for blood vessel malformations include general surgery, medical therapy,
endovascular neurosurgery (i.e. liquid tissue adhesives, micro coils, etc.),
and stereotactic radiosurgery.
Source:
Brain Imaging in
Arteriovenous Malformation, MedScape
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