How long does it take to recover from AVM embolization?

Full recovery can take up to six months for complex cases. After AVM embolization, you will have follow-up appointments to ensure that you are recovering smoothly. You may need additional medical imaging to examine the embolization site and plan additional treatment, including AVM surgery to remove the AVM.

Is Spinal AVM curable?

Spinal AVM can go undiagnosed unless you begin experiencing signs and symptoms. The condition can be treated with surgery to halt or possibly reverse some of the spinal damage.

What is the survival rate of AVM surgery?

In observational studies, the mortality rate after intracranial hemorrhage from AVM rupture ranges from 12%–66.7% [1, 2], and 23%–40% of survivors have significant disability [3].

What helps AVM?

Embolization and sclerotherapy can reduce the size and symptoms of an AVM. They cannot make the AVM go away completely. In embolization, materials such as medical glue, metal coils or even plugs are put into the center of the AVM through a tube called a catheter, which is inserted through a blood vessel.

How is embolization used in the treatment of AVM?

Embolization treatment of AVM is also known as Embolotherapy or Endovascular therapy. Embolization has been used to treat AVM since the early 1980’s. This procedure involves the injection of glue or other non-reactive liquid adhesive material into the AVM in order to block it off.

What happens if you have AVM in your spinal cord?

An AVM causes abnormal blood flow within the spinal cord and this can result in a number of problems, including haemorrhage (internal bleeding) and/or a stroke in the spinal cord.

What is the purpose of embolization in surgery?

Embolization is very useful to reduce the blood flow through the AVM just before surgery. This makes it much easier for the surgeon to remove the AVM. Can be early repeated and staged.

How is the embolisation of the spinal cord done?

The embolisation, or blocking of the abnormal collection of blood vessels around your spinal cord, is planned after the angiogram pictures are taken and examined. The radiologist uses the pictures to work out what kind of small particles or glue to block the vessels with and how to do this most effectively.