
Symptoms of a ruptured vascular malformation often come on suddenly and include a sudden, severe headache (“worst headache of my life”) different from past headaches, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, weakness, confusion, fainting or loss of consciousness, and seizures. Depending on the severity of the hemorrhage, brain damage or death may result. When a vascular malformation ruptures, the result is called a hemorrhage. Brain vascular malformation | Source: The Aneurysm & AVM Foundation Mayfield Clinicīrain vascular malformations can also become unstable and rupture, releasing blood into the brain and causing a stroke. This system of blood vessels is how blood is conveyed from the heart to the brain, carrying oxygen and nutrients to support the brain and all its functions. In medicine, the word “vascular” refers to blood vessels, or the tubes that contain and transport our blood, making up our circulation system. The word “vascular” is the Latin term for a hollow container used to transport liquids. In these cases the unruptured vascular malformation can cause symptoms that include headaches, seizures, or stroke-like symptoms, such as changes in ability to think clearly, changes in vision or speech, changes in motor function, or numbness and tingling sensations. While in many cases a vascular malformation causes no symptoms and can go unnoticed, some cases of unruptured brain vascular malformations will cause problems by pressing on areas in the brain, irritating the brain tissue with inflammation and leakage of abnormal substances into the brain, and/or altering the blood flow from regions of normal brain (called “steal” phenomena, for stealing blood flow from where it is otherwise needed). While these vascular masses are not cancerous tumors, they can sometimes grow and cause various symptoms. Pacific Neuroscience Institute Directoryīrain vascular malformations are localized collections of abnormal blood vessels that lead to altered blood flow.Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills.Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank.Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance.
