Brain Vascular Tangle is referred to as arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in medical language. To summarize briefly, AVM is the abnormal connection of arteries and veins in the brain and the formation of a vascular tangle.
What is Brain Vascular Tangle? What Symptoms Does It Give? You can read our related article by clicking to learn. In this article we will discuss how is AVM diagnosed and how is AVM treated?
How is Brain AVM Diagnosed?
For the diagnosis of brain vascular tangle (arteriovenous malformation), your doctor will first review your complaints and perform a detailed physical examination. Then, various tests and imaging methods are applied to diagnose AVM. The tests used for diagnosis are:
- Cerebral Angiography: This is the most detailed test available to diagnose the brain AVM. It detects the location and features of the vessels in the brain.
- Computed Tomography (CT): CT uses a series of beams to create a detailed cross-sectional image of the brain. A dye is injected into the blood vessel and thanks to this, a more detailed view of the vessels can be provided.
- MRI Imaging (MRI): Powerful magnets and radio waves are used to create detailed images of the brain. It is more sensitive than CT and can show more subtle changes which are associated with AVM. It also provides information about the exact area of the AVM and a possible bleeding. Dye can be injected to see the blood circulation in the brain.
Brain Vascular Tangle – AVM Treatment
There are several different options for the treatment of brain vascular tangle. The most appropriate treatment depends on the patient’s age, general health condition, and the dimensions and location of the AVM.
The main aim of all treatments is to prevent brain hemorrhage. Treatment may also be considered to control seizures or other neurological complications. Medication may be used to treat complaints which are caused by the AVM, such as headaches.
If you do not have any symptoms related to the AVM, or if the AVM is in a brain area that is difficult to treat, your doctor may not take any intervention and recommend only regular follow-up visits.
Surgical operation is the most common option in AVM treatment. There are 3 different surgical methods:
Surgical Resection (Removal by Surgery)
If the AVM bled and is in an easily accessible area, brain surgery may be recommended to remove the AVM. In this procedure, the surgeon temporarily removes part of the skull to gain access to the vascular tangle. The skull bone is reattached after the removal of the vascular tangle.
Surgical resection is usually done when the AVM has a low risk of bleeding or when the person has a low risk of seizures. AVMs which are located in deeper brain regions carry a higher risk. In such cases, different treatment methods may be recommended.
Endovascular Embolization
Endovascular embolization is a method which involves less incision than conventional surgery. The procedure is as follows:
- A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the leg or wrist and this catheter is transferred to the brain through the blood vessels by using the x-ray imaging.
- The catheter is inserted into one of the vessels which supplies the vascular tangle in the brain.
- Then vasoconstrictors are injected to block this blood vessel and reduce the blood flow through it.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery
In this treatment, a precisely focused radiation is used to destroy the vascular tangle in the brain. Stereotactic radiosurgery is not exactly a surgery. Because no incisions are made in the body. Stereotactic radiosurgery targets the abnormal vascular tangle and delivers radiation to that area. It aims to block the abnormal vessels by causing damage to these vessels.
This treatment method is best suited for small AVMs that are difficult to remove with conventional surgery and do not cause life-threatening bleeding.
