Arteriovenous malformation - cerebral

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Arteries of the brain

AVM - cerebral

In about half of patiens with AVMs, the first symptoms are those of a stroke caused by bleeding into the brain.

Symptoms of an AVM that has not bled include:

• Confusion
• Ear noise/buzzing (also called pulsatile tinnitus)
• Headache
  • May be in one area (localized) or the entire head
  • May resemble a migraine headache in some cases
• Problems walking
• Seizures of all types and severity
• Symptoms caused by pressure on one area of the brain
  • Blurred, decreased, or double vision
  • Dizziness
  • Muscle weakness in any part of the body or face
  • Numbness in any part of the body

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A complete physical examination and neurologic examination are needed, but they may be completely normal.

Tests that may be used to diagnose an AVM include:

• Cerebral angiogram
• Cranial MRI
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Head CT scan
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

Review Date: 11/04/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).