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Krembil Neuroscience Centre (KNC)
Neurovascular Disease- AVM and Aneurysm
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The Krembil Neuroscience Centre has world class expertise in the areas of AVMs and brain aneurysms. Patients with either of these conditions are assessed by a team of experts to determine the most appropriate course of care.
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
An AVM is a tangle of abnormal and poorly formed blood vessels (arteries and veins). They have a higher rate of bleeding than normal vessels. Brain AVMs are of special concern because of the damage they can cause when they bleed.
The cause of AVMs is not known. It is thought that people appear to be born with AVMs, however they do not appear to be hereditary. An AVM is not a cancer, and does not spread to other parts of the body.
Aneurysm
A brain aneurysm, also called a cerebral or intracranial aneurysm, is an abnormal bulging outward of one of the arteries in the brain. As the blood vessel weakens, it begins to bulge out like a balloon. Often, as an aneurysm develops, it forms a neck with an associated dome, or balloon like structure.
We do not know why aneurysms develop in a majority of cases, however the following may play a role:
- familial/hereditary
- vessel wall disorders
- post infection
- post trauma
Most patients who have aneurysms have no symptoms.
Sometimes aneurysms can cause pressure symptoms (like double vision, seizures, and numbness). Such incidence in the general population is 5/100,000 persons per year.
Most aneurysms present with hemorrhage which results in a sudden severe headache or unconsciousness.
Useful Links...
AVM
Toronto Brain Vascular Malformation Study Group
Aneurysm
Toronto Brain Vascular Malformation Study Group
