Symptoms of Arteriovenous Malformations

There are a number of symptoms that you may experience if you have an arteriovenous malformation. Symptoms vary from person to person. They also depend on the location of the arteriovenous malformation in your body.

If you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to arteriovenous malformations. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician.

• Intracranial hemorrhage-bleeding within the skull
  • This is the most common symptom, affecting approximately half of those with arteriovenous malformations.
• Seizure-occurs in 20%-25% of all cases
• Headache
  • Headaches are a common symptom, affecting approximately 15% of cases. Sometimes headaches linked to one side of the head may be a sign that an arteriovenous malformation is there.
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis (loss of movement) on one side of the body
• Dizziness
• Inability to perform purposeful movements but not due to paralysis (also known as apraxia)
• Loss of coordination, especially when walking (also known as ataxia)
• Abnormal blood flow sound
  • This sound, also called a bruit, can be identified by your doctor by using a stethoscope. It is caused by the extremely fast flow of blood through arteries and veins of an arteriovenous malformation.
• Sudden, severe back pain
• Difficulty speaking or understanding language
• Loss of sensations (hearing, taste, or touch)
• Visual disturbances
• Memory loss
• Difficulty thinking or mental confusion
• Hallucinations
• Dementia

Children under the age of two may have different symptoms, including:

• Congestive heart failure (inability of the heart to pump out all the blood that returns to it)
• Hydrocephalus (excessive build-up of fluid within the brain-gives the appearance of a large head)
• Seizures