Paralysis Resource Guide - (Page 8) CONDITIONS ment of most cases of AVM safe and effective. Surgery inside the skull may attempt to cut out or burn away the AVM with a laser. Another option for smaller AVMs is stereotactic radiosurgery, which focuses radiation on AVM blood vessels to slowly obliterate them; it may take from one to three years to remove the AVM. A third treatment option is endovascular embolization, which is similar to an angiogram. A catheter is inserted into a leg artery and threaded through the body toward the affected arteries. A glue-like substance is injected to block key blood vessels leading to the AVM, thus reducing its size so stereotactic radiosurgery or conventional surgery may be used to treat it. Surgery is a decision that must be made with full understanding of risks. Untreated, AVMs have the potential to hemorrhage, which may lead to serious neurological deficits or death. Surgery on the central nervous system, however, has known risks as well; AVM surgery is invasive and can be quite complex. It carries an estimated 8 percent risk of serious complications or death. Sources National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Mayo Clinic, National Organization for Rare Disorders AVM RESOURCES Mayo Clinic offers many educational materials about arteriovenous malformation and provides treatment at three centers. Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. S.W., Rochester, MN 55905; 507-284-2511. See http://www.mayoclinic.org/arteriovenous-malformation The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) offers clinical detail and resources on AVM. NINDS, 31 Center Drive, Bethesda MD 20892-2540; 301-496-5751, toll-free 800-352-9424; http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/avms.htm National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) includes AVM in its materials. NORD, 55 Kenosia Avenue, Danbury, CT 06813-1968. 203-744-0100; 800-999-6673. See http://www.rarediseases.org, 8 http://www.mayoclinic.org/arteriovenous-malformation http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/avms/avms.htm http://www.rarediseases.org
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