Central nervous system vascular malformations

Diagnosis

To diagnose a central nervous system vascular malformation, a health care provider looks for a family history of stroke, epilepsy or related conditions. Some vascular malformations make a whooshing sound, called a bruit. Fast blood flow through a malformation causes the bruit. A provider might hear the sound through a stethoscope.

Imaging tests

Imaging tests such as an angiogram can detect a central nervous system vascular malformation. An angiogram shows blood flow through arteries or veins. Blood vessels appear on the image after a contrast dye is put into the blood. The dye lights up on the scan.

A magnetic resonance angiogram or a computerized tomography angiogram might be used to diagnose a central nervous system vascular malformation and plan treatment.

Some vascular malformations, such as cavernous malformations, are found using regular MRI or CT scans.

Treatment

Treatment of a central nervous system vascular malformation depends on the type of malformation, where it's found, symptoms it causes and the risk of a bleed. Sometimes watching for changes in the malformation and for the risk of bleeding might be all that's needed.

Medicines

Medicines that might be used for treating the symptoms of a venous malformation include anti-seizure medicines to treat seizures and pain relievers for headaches.

Surgery or other procedures

Some central nervous system vascular malformations that pose a high risk of bleeding can be removed. The procedure depends on the malformation.

• Surgery. This involves cutting into the brain or spinal cord to remove the malformation. Surgery is most often used for an arteriovenous malformation that is small and in a place that's easy to reach.

  As with any surgery, there are risks such as infection and blood loss. There's also a risk of damaging nearby healthy tissue.

• Stereotactic radiosurgery. This uses radiation beams that are aimed exactly at the vascular malformation. The radiation damages the walls of the blood vessels of the malformation and causes it to go away over time.

  Because radiosurgery doesn't involve cutting, the risks are lower than they are for standard surgery. However, there's a risk of radiation damage to healthy tissue.

• Endovascular embolization. This technique involves the use of a long, thin tube, called a catheter. The tube is put into an artery in the leg or groin that feeds the malformation. It's then threaded to the brain using X-ray imaging to guide it.

  Through the tube, the surgeon sends in coils or a glue-like substance that blocks the artery and lowers blood flow to the malformation.

  Embolization might not completely remove the malformation, or the results might not last long. It's often used with other surgical procedures.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have symptoms of a central nervous system vascular malformation, you might start by seeing your primary care provider. Or you might learn you have a malformation after having imaging tests for another condition. You might then be referred to a doctor who specializes in conditions of the nervous system, called a neurologist.

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before having a specific test. Make a list of:

• Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment, and when they began.
• Key medical information, including family and personal medical history.
• All medicines, vitamins or other supplements you take, including doses.
• Questions to ask your health care provider.

Take a family member or friend along, if possible, to help you remember the information you're given.

For central nervous system vascular malformations, basic questions to ask include:

• What's likely causing my symptoms?
• What tests do I need?
• Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
• What's the best course of action?
• What is my risk of having complications from this condition?
• I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
• Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What websites do you recommend? 

Be sure to ask all the questions you have about your condition.

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

• Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
• How bad are your symptoms?
• What, if anything, seems to make your symptoms better?
• What, if anything, seems to make your symptoms worse?