Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true were really true, there would be little hope of advance - Orville Wright

image by: Kim Bindon AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) Awareness
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My AVM Story
GOD, I LOVE LIFE. Every morning I wake up, open my eyes and say, “ALL RIGHT!! Another day and I’m still here!” Sounds a bit extreme doesn’t it? This attitude is not that surprising when you consider that I was diagnosed almost eight years ago with a medical condition that could kill me at any time with no warning. Given that, you can either curl up and die inside or you can decide to LIVE.
My name is Veronica White, and I am a firm believer in the fact that everyone has a story. So this is my story… Mine is not exactly your standard story though. I’ll start at the beginning, back in grade six…
Life was going along pretty good back then. I had my friends at…
Resources
Transvenous embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations: a review of techniques, indications, and outcomes
Available studies of transvenous AVM embolization in the literature have reported high complete obliteration rates, with reasonably low complication rates. However, evaluating the efficacy and safety of this approach is challenging due to the limited number of published cases. In this review the authors describe the technical considerations, indications, and outcomes of transvenous AVM embolization.
AVM Stories
We, at the AVM Awareness Project, are looking to put a “human face” to Arteriovenous Malformation and Aneurysms, and to show that you or your loved ones are NOT ALONE in the fight.
Back from the brink: Bryan’s life-threatening brain AVM
Bryan Thomas doesn’t remember what happened at the eighth-grade graduation party in June, the night he almost lost his life. He knows only what he’s been told.
Embolization and radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations
The treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) requires a multidisciplinary management including microsurgery, endovascular embolization, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This article reviews the recent advancements in the multimodality treatment of patients with AVMs using endovascular neurosurgery and SRS. We describe the natural history of AVMs and the role of endovascular and radiosurgical treatment as well as their interplay in the management of these complex vascular lesions. Also, we present some representative cases treated at our institution
Management of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations
Brain arteriovenous malformations are a relatively uncommon but important cause of hemorrhagic stroke, especially in young adults. This statement describes the current knowledge of the natural history and treatment of patients with ruptured and unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations, suggestions for management, and implications for future research.
The Journey to Here
I feel very fortunate to have discovered it now as the usual way it reveals itself is when it hemorrhages in the brain because the circulatory system can't handle that volume of blood, thus causing it to rupture. In my case, because my AVM lives in my occipital lobe which controls vision, a rupture would've resulted in complete vision loss and weakness on the left side of my body.
Treatment
This is where we got our first true surprise. One of the first things he recommended was a two prong approach. First, they would embolize by threading a catheter up through my groin and into my brain where a substance called Onyx would seal off the veins that feed the AVM. Then, about a week later, another doctor would preform a craniotomy where they would remove a section of my skull and resect the AVM, screw my skull back into place with itty bitty screws, then staple my scalp back into place.
My AVM Story
GOD, I LOVE LIFE. Every morning I wake up, open my eyes and say, “ALL RIGHT!! Another day and I’m still here!” Sounds a bit extreme doesn’t it? This attitude is not that surprising when you consider that I was diagnosed almost eight years ago with a medical condition that could kill me at any time with no warning. Given that, you can either curl up and die inside or you can decide to LIVE.
Me, Myself and Ralph
Welcome to my blog! As a young stroke survivor, this is my way of learning from what I've been through - after all, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...
The Story of the Tangle in My Brain
On February 10, 2014 I was diagnosed with an arteriovenous malformation in the right occipital lobe of my brain. Because AVMs are rare, it is hard to find stories from people who live with them. This blog is to document my progress for both my family and friends as well those who live with their own diagnosis.
The Tangled Ones
A documented AVM Stroke blog blossoming into my 'life lessons' journey.
Twisted Paths: My Journey
I was diagnosed with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) in my brain in July 2011, a month after my 22nd birthday. Half a year later, I had craniotomy (brain surgery) to remove 3 AVMs from my left frontal lobe, resulting in an AVM-free life, but some brain injury. In July, 2017, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and have been on chemo treatment since then. You can learn more about my Disability Journey here!
Arterio-Venous Malformation (AVM) Hemorrhage: Craniotomy, Neuronavigation and Surgical Repair
Sade tells the story of two cerebral hemorrhages that threatened her life at the age of 19. Her neurosurgeon, Charles Liu, M.D., removed the clot and saved her life, then monitored her progress with MRIs every two months to isolate the cause and prevent a recurrence.
Arteriovenous Malformation
Video by VM Awareness Project.
AVM
Interhemispheric approach for resection of right cingulate gyrus arteriovenous malformation.
AVM Awareness Project
Arteriovenous Malformation & Aneurysm Resources & Support.
AVM Research & Awareness Foundation
The AVM Research & Awareness Foundation is a non-profit foundation that funds research into vascular malformations (such as AVM), stroke and aneurysm. We try and run as many fundraising events each year as we can realistically handle! The list is always growing.
AVM Support UK
We are a unique group working throughout the UK offering free, patient friendly information and support to all whose lives have been affected by the rare condition Arteriovenous Malformation.
Joe Niekro Foundation
The Joe Niekro Foundation™ is committed to supporting patients and families, research, treatment and awareness of Brain Aneurysms, AVMs and Hemorrhagic Strokes. We provide education on the risk factors, causes and treatments of these conditions, while funding the advancement of neurological research.™ is committed to supporting patients and families, research, treatment and awareness of Brain Aneurysms, AVMs and Hemorrhagic Strokes. We provide education on the risk factors, causes and treatments of these conditions, while funding the advancement of neurological research.
The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation
The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation (TAAF) is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to bettering the lives, support networks, and medical care of those affected by aneurysm and other vascular malformations of the brain. We are an all-volunteer organization run by survivors, caregivers, and medical professionals.
American Association of Neurological Surgeons
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are defects in the vascular system, consisting of tangles of abnormal blood vessels (nidus) in which the feeding arteries are directly connected to a venous drainage network without interposition of a capillary bed.
MayoClinic
An arteriovenous malformation can develop anywhere in your body but occurs most often in the brain or spine. Even so, brain AVMs are rare and affect less than 1 percent of the population.
MedicineNet
Several ongoing studies are devoted to developing new noninvasive neuroimaging technologies to increase the effectiveness and safety of AVM surgery. Some scientists are pioneering the use of MRI to measure amounts of oxygen present in the brain tissue of patients with vascular lesions in order to predict the brain's response to surgical therapies.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
It is unclear why AVMs form. Most often AVMs are congenital, but they can appear sporadically. In some cases the AVM may be inherited, but it is more likely that other inherited conditions increase the risk of having an AVM. The malformations tend to be discovered only incidentally, usually during treatment for an unrelated disorder or at autopsy. It is estimated that brain AVMs occur in less than one percent of the general population; each year about one percent of those with AVMs will die as a direct result of the AVM.
Neurology Journals
As the leading clinical neurology journal worldwide, Neurology is directed to physicians concerned with diseases and conditions of the nervous system. The journal's purpose is to advance the field by presenting new basic and clinical research with emphasis on knowledge that will influence the way neurology is practiced. The journal is at the forefront in disseminating cutting-edge, peer-reviewed information to the neurology community worldwide.

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