Congenital pathologies. Arteriovenous malformation

Arteriovenous malformation is a plexus of convoluted and thin-walled vessels that connect veins and arteries between each other. This phenomenon can develop in any part of the body. However, the greatest danger is the malformation of cerebral vessels.

The exact cause of the development of the condition is not established. Arteriovenous malformation probably has a hereditary nature and is considered an innate congenital disorder. Thus, among the relatives of persons suffering from this pathology, the risk of getting sick is very high. Specialists have identified certain genes responsible for normal growth in blood vessels, in which mutations can provoke such interlacing. In addition, syndromes have been found which, in addition to this pathology, include disorders of the functions of other systems and organs, as well as a violation of their structure.

As a result of the mutation in the genes that participate in the development and growth of the vessels, the cells that form them, in particular, endothelial cells lining the inner walls, change. As a result, a normal capillary network responsible for the exchange of metabolic products, gases and nutrients is not formed. This leads to the fact that the cells of the area in which the arteriovenous malformation is located do not receive the necessary amount of oxygen and the necessary substances. Thus, their work is disrupted.

Giant arteriovenous malformation provokes a decrease in blood supply to nearby areas. This phenomenon in medicine was called "the phenomenon of stealing." Reduction of blood supply is due to the outflow of blood in the pathological vessels.

In addition, in a normal structure with a system of arteries, capillaries and veins, the pressure decrease occurs gradually from the arteries to the veins. In the case of an interlacing, it remains sufficiently high. Due to the fact that the venous structure does not allow such a high pressure to carry, there is a possibility of rupture and bleeding.

With the arrangement of the weave in the brain, subarachnoid hemorrhage, hemorrhage into the substance of the brain or its ventricles can develop. In such cases, the conditions are often complicated by an increase in intracranial pressure, caused by the closure of the outflow pathways for the cerebrospinal fluid, various disorders in the operation of the cranial nerves.

As a rule, the symptoms of the weave depend on its location and size.

Malformation of the vessels has a characteristic sign - a headache. Feeling can be like a migraine, have a pulsating and one-sided nature.

In some cases, epileptic seizures may develop . With a large amount of malformation, there may be signs of impaired cerebral blood flow in the form of paralysis.

With subarachnoid hemorrhage, patients feel the strongest headache, dizziness, and also vomiting, nausea. In some cases, patients lose consciousness by falling into a coma. There are also paralysis of the legs, hands, visual impairment, gait, speech, as well as the inability to carry out targeted movements. In very rare cases, with minor hemorrhages, the condition passes asymptomatically.

The main method of treating pathological vascular interlacing is surgical intervention. There are several methods of conducting the operation.

During the open intervention, trepanation of the skull and complete removal of malformations are performed. The endovascular method involves the introduction of a catheter to the area of pathology. Then, using special cylinders, the artery interlacing the interlacing artery is closed. During radiosurgery, a single irradiation of the pathological area is performed, leading to the destruction of the altered vessels.