Diagnosis and Treatment
Medical treatment for the resultant seizures and headaches may be instituted. Anticonvulsant drugs are typically used to help people who have seizures but exhibit no other symptoms. Depending in the location of the arteriovenous malformation, surgery may help to correct the problem. Surgical treatment of AVMs may include surgical resection, endovascular embolization (injection of embolic agents to block off blood flow in the problem area), and radiosurgery (the surgical use of targeted radiation). Surgical treatment, though it can help some patients, is only performed cautiously. The malformations are sometimes located in highly sensitive areas of the brain that are best left undisturbed if the patient shows no symptoms.

Last updated: 01-Jan-00