What are the best treatments for Arteriovenous Malformation AVM?

Once an avm has been diagnosed, the patient is given several options:

1. Radiation or Gamma Knife Treatments
2. Closed Surgery- Ombolization using coils or Onyx Glue
3. Open Surgery- Craniotomy: skull is opened, avm is visualized, abnormal cluster of vessels is removed, blood flow is re-routed.

The best treatment is dependent on the location of the AVM, they symptoms and what your doctor recommends

I have had 8 surgeries. The schlerotherapy, glue, and ethanol are the treatments I’ve had. We also tried Cryo-Ablation, but it didn’t work. I do get some relief from the ethanol treatments. Just not long term.

Depending on the size, a craniotomy and embolization is used for a smaller AVM. Gamma knife is used for larger, inoperable AVMs. Sometimes they are completely inoperable and can only be watched by your neurosurgeon.

The diagnosis is confirmed with either CT scan or MRI scan to build a picture of the brain, AVMs are faulty blood vessels, and surgery can be done, but depending on the location also has risks associated with surgery which is the only long term solution. Prevention is better than cure, avoiding distending the weak blood vessels ie avoid sudden increases of blood pressure, pain and inflammation can be eased by taking Ibuprofen, always with or after food, letting your clinician know what you are doing. Avoid bending down, or picking up any heavy weights. It can be hard having a hidden disability, ensure that your GP knows and understands as this is a rare condition and there are risks that are increased that can be misunderstood and misdiagnosed

observation, microsurgery, endovascular embolization, stereotactic radiosurgery, or a combination of these.

Only know of three options for AVM in the brain Open brain surgery or embolisaion or gamma knife radiation. Can be a misture of 1 or 2 or even all 3 of the above. Oral medication is not an option as far as I am aware