A patient with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is at risk of catastrophic hemorrhage, seizures or progressive loss of neurologic function.
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) represent one of the earliest indications for Gamma Knife radiosurgery. The treatment leads to the slow occlusion of the vessels that constitute the core or “nidus” of the arteriovenous malformation, eventually leading to the vascular malformation being obliterated. Reported arteriovenous malformation obliteration rates after two to three years are high, while complications are usually equivalent or lower than surgery for lesions of Spetzler-Martin grade II and higher.
An example of vascular malformations and an example of an arteriovenous vascular malformation treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery is shown below:
Physician referral, patient self-referrals, second opinions and case reviews for arteriovenous malformation are welcome and can be arranged by calling our physicians at the numbers listed on the faculty page or through the Cleveland Clinic Gamma Knife Center at 888.664.5223. More information including bibliographies and reprints of scientific articles on specific Gamma Knife procedures are also available at these same numbers.
To schedule an evaluation for vascular malformations with a Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center specialist, please call our Patient Access Coordinator at 216.445.8971, or toll-free at 800.223.2273, ext. 58971.
