What is a Brain Arteriovenous Malformation?
An arteriovenous malformation, or AVM, is a tangle of blood vessels in your brain. These blood vessels don't have capillaries, which allow for the proper exchange of nutrients and flow of blood. Because of this, blood flows too fast through these vessels, which can raise the risk of a brain bleed, seizures or pressure on nearby brain tissue.
Some arteriovenous malformations are found by accident during a scan. Others can cause symptoms such as headaches, fainting, or sudden changes in thinking or movement. Without treatment, this condition can be dangerous and cause a brain bleed or brain damage.
Symptoms of AVM:
- Sudden, intense headaches
- Seizures
- Weakness, numbness, or vision changes
- Fainting or confusion
- A brain scan showing something unusual
Diagnosing Arteriovenous Malformation
To see what's happening inside your brain, your health care team might use imaging tests like an MRI, CT scan, or an angiogram. This helps your neurologist see the shape, size, and location of the arteriovenous malformation, and decide what kind of care is safest.
What is the Treatment for an Arteriovenous Malformation?
Brain arteriovenous malformations are rare, but when they happen, they can be serious. Some people find out after a seizure. Others feel fine until a sudden bleed causes stroke-like symptoms and a hospital visit. All cases of this condition are different, so your treatment plan should be built by a team of neurologists and specialists who understand your case and your overall health. You need expert care built around you.
Treatment may include:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Minimally Invasive Treatments
- Monitoring
AVM Treatment That Fits Your Life
Some arteriovenous malformations can be removed with surgery, while others respond well to a focused type of radiation. In some cases, your team may recommend watching the condition closely without treatment right away.
Together, you and your doctors will choose the safest path forward—one that protects your brain and supports your goals.
No matter what the treatment, you’ll have support—from a nurse at your side during a scan, to a specialist who stays late to answer your questions.
What Comes Next
Recovery isn’t just about your condition—it’s about getting you back to doing what you love
Whether you’re healing from surgery or learning to live with a diagnosis, your care team works with you to ensure you're taken care of. That may mean follow-up imaging, seizure support, or physical therapy to help you feel strong again.
Why Choose CHRISTUS Health
You deserve care that sees you as more than your symptoms. At CHRISTUS Health, your story matters — every worry, every hope, every step forward.
Here, caregivers take the time to listen before they act, to hold your hand before a procedure, and to celebrate each small milestone with you. Care is close to home, shaped around your needs, and ready when you are.
From your first visit to your last follow-up, you’ll have a team that treats you like family — walking with you through the hard days and cheering you on through the better ones.