Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations

Overview

Mayo Clinic specialists have been pioneers in the treatment of central nervous system vascular malformations ever since Dr. Charles Mayo performed the first neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic on a patient with a vascular malformation in 1891. More than a century later, Mayo Clinic physicians remain at the forefront of treatment and research for central nervous system vascular malformations.

Effective management of central nervous system vascular malformations requires sound judgment about the best course of treatment. The best decisions are reached when a team of specialists with expertise in vascular malformations works together to identify the most effective and least invasive treatment.

Mayo Clinic is uniquely suited to treat patients with central nervous system vascular malformations for three reasons:

• The high volume of patients treated at Mayo Clinic has allowed Mayo Clinic physicians to build significant expertise in vascular malformations.
• Physicians from neurology, neurosurgery, radiology, medical genetics, and radiation oncology work as a team with patients and their families to determine the best course of treatment.
• Mayo Clinic physicians are actively involved in research that is increasing the understanding of the causes and risks of central nervous system vascular malformations, as well as identifying the most effective treatments for vascular malformations.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is ranked No. 1 in Neurology & Neurosurgery in the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings.

Diagnosis

Mayo Clinic has a full range of diagnostic capabilities from genetic testing, CT scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), high-resolution cerebral angiography with 3D reconstruction, and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to help with central nervous system vascular malformation diagnosis.

Treatment

Mayo Clinic offers a variety of treatment alternatives including surgery, stereotactic radiosurgery, and endovascular surgery for patients who require central nervous system vascular malformation treatment.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota

About Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations

Central nervous system vascular malformations are malformations of the arteries, veins, or venous sinuses within the brain, spinal cord and central nervous system membranes (meninges).

Symptoms of central nervous system vascular malformations vary depending on the type and location of the malformation.