Surgeries:

Radiosurgery for Arteriovenous Malformation

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangling of the blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain, disrupting the normal flow of oxygen-rich blood.

Arteriovenous malformation requires medical attention. as the tangled blood vessels may rupture. This can cause bleeding on the brain, a stroke, or permanent brain damage.

Symptoms of arteriovenous malformations may include headaches, nausea, seizures, loss of consciousness, and the progressive loss of brain function or the patient may be asymptomatic.

A CT or MRI of the brain will show the AVM and a cerebral angiogram will often be performed to detail the exact vascular anatomy to help guide treatment.

Treatment of AVMs might include observation alone, surgery or radiosurgery, separately or in combination to remove or obliterate the lesion.

AVM radiosurgery

Using computer guidance to target the affected blood vessels, a small and highly precise dose of radiation is focused on the arteriovenous malformation. This slowly shrinks, closes off, and destroys abnormal blood vessels without the need for brain surgery.

AVM stereotactic radiosurgery is minimally invasive and can be done as an outpatient day procedure. The complete procedure involves the placement of a stereotactic head frame, undergoing a cerebral angiogram to define the AVM and other imaging, planning of the radiation delivery and painless delivery of the radiation while the patient is fully awake.

Ideally radiosurgery is a one-time treatment for smaller AVMs, but larger arteriovenous malformations may require multiple sessions, adjuvant treatment such as embolisation or surgery. The obliteration rate for all AVMs less than 3cm is approximately 70% with a single treatment and higher depending on the size of the AVM. Radiosurgery is ideal for small, deep lesions that surgery is too risky for.

The risks of radiosurgery are small but include failure of AVM obliteration over time, and bleeding risk, neurological deficit and the need for further treatment.

 Alternative AVM treatments

Embolisation

Embolisation is a technique in which some or all of the arteriovenous malformations are blocked with glue, making it safer to have them surgically removed.

Embolisation can also shrink arteriovenous malformations, allowing for better results from radiosurgery.

Surgical removal

Surgically removing the arteriovenous malformations requires microsurgery. Resected arteriovenous malformations do not return, though not all people are candidates for this surgery. Suitability depends on the size, site, and location of the venous drainage.

Dr Andrew Zacest performs stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformation and consults at the Calvary Adelaide Hospital.

Radiosurgery for Arteriovenous Malformation

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangling of the blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain, disrupting the normal flow of oxygen-rich blood.

Arteriovenous malformation requires medical attention. as the tangled blood vessels may rupture. This can cause bleeding on the brain, a stroke, or permanent brain damage.

Symptoms of arteriovenous malformations may include headaches, nausea, seizures, loss of consciousness, and the progressive loss of brain function or the patient may be asymptomatic.

A CT or MRI of the brain will show the AVM and a cerebral angiogram will often be performed to detail the exact vascular anatomy to help guide treatment.

Treatment of AVMs might include observation alone, surgery or radiosurgery, separately or in combination to remove or obliterate the lesion.

AVM radiosurgery

Using computer guidance to target the affected blood vessels, a small and highly precise dose of radiation is focused on the arteriovenous malformation. This slowly shrinks, closes off, and destroys abnormal blood vessels without the need for brain surgery.

AVM stereotactic radiosurgery is minimally invasive and can be done as an outpatient day procedure. The complete procedure involves the placement of a stereotactic head frame, undergoing a cerebral angiogram to define the AVM and other imaging, planning of the radiation delivery and painless delivery of the radiation while the patient is fully awake.

Ideally radiosurgery is a one-time treatment for smaller AVMs, but larger arteriovenous malformations may require multiple sessions, adjuvant treatment such as embolisation or surgery. The obliteration rate for all AVMs less than 3cm is approximately 70% with a single treatment and higher depending on the size of the AVM. Radiosurgery is ideal for small, deep lesions that surgery is too risky for.

The risks of radiosurgery are small but include failure of AVM obliteration over time, and bleeding risk, neurological deficit and the need for further treatment.

 Alternative AVM treatments

Embolisation

Embolisation is a technique in which some or all of the arteriovenous malformations are blocked with glue, making it safer to have them surgically removed.

Embolisation can also shrink arteriovenous malformations, allowing for better results from radiosurgery.

Surgical removal

Surgically removing the arteriovenous malformations requires microsurgery. Resected arteriovenous malformations do not return, though not all people are candidates for this surgery. Suitability depends on the size, site, and location of the venous drainage.

Dr Andrew Zacest performs stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformation and consults at the Calvary Adelaide Hospital.