An AVM (arteriovenous malformation) of the brain is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain connecting the arteries to the veins. The tangle of abnormal blood vessels is called a 'nidus'. If the arteries and veins are connected one-to-one without the intervening tangle of blood vessels, it is called a fistula. Because these blood vessels are abnormal, they have a tendency to rupture leading to bleeding within the brain. AVMs are not unique to the brain and can occur in other parts of the body.
However, brain AVMs are unique in that they cause severe devastating effects if they rupture. Brain AVMs diagnosed during pregnancy present a challenge to the neurosurgeon as well as to the obstetrician. The normal changes in the mother during pregnancy may predispose to rupture of the AVM, thus causing brain bleed. If untreated, the AVM runs the risk of bleeding and at the same time,…
