What is an AVM of the brain?
An AVM of the brain (also known as a cerebral AVM) is a disorder of the body’s circulatory system. AVMs occur when an intricate tangle of blood vessels directly diverts blood from the arteries to the veins. Though localized in the brain, cerebral AVMs can lead to severe neurological problems. Left untreated, a cerebral AVM can cause severe hemorrhaging, which may lead to serious complications or death. How common are cerebral AVMs? It is estimated that an AVM of the brain occurs in approximately 1 in every 200 to 500 people (less than one percent of the general population). Cerebral AVMs are commonly misdiagnosed, with most cases found only incidentally through the performance of CT (computed tomography) and/or MRI scans on the brain. Patients often complain of regular headaches and seizures before diagnosis. Other neurological complications can develop including speech and visual difficulty, dizziness, memory deficits, confusion, hallucinations, dementia and difficulty with event plan
