| A vascular malformation is usually a congenital | | | | located in the middle of the brain |
| condition that affects the blood vessels of the brain, | | | | - Capillary Vascular malformations, which involve the |
| head and neck, and peripheral body. This article is an | | | | smallest blood vessels, the capillaries |
| overview of the topic and is intended to provide you | | | | - Fistula, an abnormal connection between blood |
| with a general understanding of vascular | | | | vessels |
| malformations. Your doctor will discuss with you the | | | | These distinctions are important because it is the |
| details of your particular case. | | | | type of malformation that determines the treatment |
| What are vascular malformations? | | | | approach. |
| It’s important to keep in mind that there’s | | | | How are vascular malformations diagnosed? |
| not one type of vascular malformation, but rather | | | | Not every patient will have symptoms from his or |
| many types that can be found in different parts of | | | | her vascular malformation. Symptoms depend on the |
| the body. They involve many blood vessels, including | | | | location of the vascular malformation. Those who |
| the arteries, capillaries and veins. Treatment can take | | | | have symptoms may experience one or more of the |
| place over a period of time ranging from one single | | | | following: |
| treatment to multiple treatments over months or | | | | - Heart failure |
| years. | | | | - A failure to thrive, such as difficulty with feeding or |
| Vascular malformations can affect both boys and | | | | a lack of weight gain |
| girls, ranging in age from newborns to young adults. | | | | - Discolorization at the site, such as a reddish, purplish |
| The cause of these malformations is not known. | | | | or bluish tinge to the skin |
| Most are present from birth. Some vascular | | | | - Bleeding or drainage at the site |
| malformations are diagnosed early. However, others | | | | - A feeling of pulsation or throbbing at the site |
| are diagnosed later in childhood and the rest may be | | | | - Increased head growth |
| diagnosed during the teenage years or adulthood. | | | | - Seizures |
| The heart pumps blood throughout the body, bringing | | | | - Change in level of alertness |
| with it the oxygen and nutrients the body needs to | | | | When malformations become apparent because of a |
| thrive. Sometimes there is a short circuit between | | | | sudden event, such as bleeding, loss of |
| the arteries and veins, without intervening capillaries.. | | | | consciousness, seizures and headaches, immediate |
| Vascular malformations interfere with the normal flow | | | | medical attention is required. These patients are |
| of blood, particularly through arteries, veins and | | | | usually admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of |
| capillaries. | | | | a hospital and the testing to make a diagnosis begins |
| What do vascular malformations look like? There may | | | | quickly. |
| be a tangle of blood vessels that create a | | | | Other times the malformation is noticed because it is |
| malformation resembling a bunch of grape stems. | | | | visible on the body or because a throbbing is felt at |
| Visible malformations may appear on the skin as a | | | | the site. In these cases the testing, while necessary, |
| prominent vein or a purplish discoloration, but most | | | | is not urgent and can be taken care of on an |
| vascular malformations cannot be seen. | | | | outpatient basis. |
| What are the names of the different vascular | | | | If you’d like to learn more about the diagnosis |
| malformations? | | | | and treatment of vascular malformations, please visit: |
| Some of the terms used to describe specific | | | | |
| irregularities are: | | | | Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes |
| - Arteriovenous malformations (AVM), which usually | | | | and should not be considered a substitute for |
| involve arteries and veins | | | | professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. |
| - Venousvascular malformations (VVM), which usually | | | | Always seek the advice of your physician or other |
| involve veins | | | | qualified health provider with any question you may |
| - Vein of Galen malformations (VGM), which is a | | | | have regarding a medical condition. |
| specific condition affecting the Vein of Galen which is | | | | |