Central nervous system vascular malformations

Definition

Central nervous system vascular malformations are rare abnormalities of blood vessels in your brain or spinal cord and their membranes.

Mayo Clinic doctors trained in nervous system conditions treat all types of central nervous system vascular malformations, including:

Arteriovenous malformations. A brain (intracranial) arteriovenous malformation is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in your brain.
Capillary telangiectasias. Capillary telangiectasias are small dilated blood vessels (capillaries).
Cavernous malformations.. Cavernous malformations are abnormally formed blood vessels in your brain or spinal cord that have the appearance of a mulberry.
Dural arteriovenous fistulas.. Dural arteriovenous fistulas are abnormal connections between arteries and the tough covering over the brain or spinal cord (dura) and a draining vein.
Spinal arteriovenous malformations.. A spinal arteriovenous malformation is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels on, in or near your spinal cord.
Venous malformations.. Venous malformations are abnormally enlarged veins in your brain or spinal cord.

April 19, 2014

Singer RJ, et al. Vascular malformations of the central nervous system. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 25, 2014.
Arteriovenous malformations and other vascular lesions of the central nervous system fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/detail_avms.htm. Accessed Jan. 25, 2014.

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