Benign+AVM

Symptoms include:1 Tests that may be used to diagnose an AVM include:1 Gx: Grade not assessable G1: Well differentiated G2: Moderately differentiated G3: Poorly differentiated G4: Undifferentiated ||
 * **Epidemiolgy:** || AVMs occur in less than 1% of the population1 ||
 * **Etiology:** || There is no known etiology1 ||
 * **Signs & Symptoms:** || Although the condition is present at birth the symptoms may present at any age (most often between ages 15-20)
 * Confusion
 * A buzzing sound in the ear
 * Headache
 * Problems walking
 * Seizures
 * Blurred, decreased, or double vision
 * Dizziness
 * Muscle weakness
 * Numbness ||
 * **Diagnostic Procedures:** || A complete physical examination and neurologic examination are needed, but they may be completely normal.1
 * Cerebral angiogram
 * Cranial MRI
 * Electroencephalogram (EEG)
 * Head CT scan
 * Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) ||
 * **Histology:** || AVMs have no specific histology. ||
 * **Lymph node drainage:** || There is no lymphatic drainage in the brain due to the Blood Brain Barrier. ||
 * **Metastatic spread:** || Intra-cranial spread is the most common type of spread, but is very rare. Seeding can also occur, which can lead to spinal cord compression.2 ||
 * **Grading:** || Histopathologic Grade:2
 * **Staging:** || There is no universal staging system for Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM).2 ||
 * **Radiation side effects:** || Typical side effects include headaches and nausea.1 More severe complications such as stroke can occur. 3 ||
 * **Prognosis:** || Hemorrhage is the primary prognostic factor. Sever hemorrhage can cause neurological damage and even death. 3 ||
 * **Treatments:** || Surgery and radiation therapy are the two curative treatment modalities for AVM. Radiosurgery is the most common radiation therapy treatment for AVM. For AVMs less than 1 to 2 cm, radiosurgery is most effective. 3 Radiosurgery is not as effective for lesions of 4 cm3 or more, and conventional external beam radiation therapy can be used. 3 ||
 * **TD 5/5:** || There is no TD 5/5 associated with AVM. ||
 * **References:** || # Arteriovenous Malformation. PubMed Health. Available at: [] . Accessed on: June 3, 2012.
 * 1) Washington CM, Leaver D. //Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy//. 2nd edition. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc. 2004: 96.
 * 2) Hoppe RT, Phillips TL, Mack III M. Leibel and Phillips Textbook of Radiation Oncology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2010. ||

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