Re: Treatment for "inoperable" AVM

Posted By CCF MD GS on November 20, 1998 at 11:10:55:

In Reply to: Treatment for "inoperable" AVM posted by Suzan McAllister on November 20, 1998 at 10:56:33:






My husband was diagnosed with an "inoperable" AVM 5 years ago.  At that time, his neurologist recommended seizure control as the only form of treatment, as the AVM is deep in the brain, and conventional operating techniques presented to high a risk to be considered.  He is unable to take Dilantin, and is now exhibiting symptoms of some type of irritation from the Tegretol.  (Dosage is 800 mg /day - less causes small seizures, more causes inability to function normally).  I understand that treatment for this disorder has advanced recently, and would like to know what other options are available now.  We are in a very rural area, and it is difficult to get answers to these questions locally.  Thank you for any response.  OH - and how is one referred to a clinic like yours?  Is it necessary for BC/BS purposes to obtain a referral from our current neurologist?



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Thansk for the question. In terns of referrals you should check with your insurance first to determine if a primary care physician referal is required which is often the case. If they would like to see you seen at CCF then a call can be made to the appointment office at 216 444 5559. If you wish to see one of the vascular neurosurgeons then ask the appointment desk for that number. Treatment for AVM's as you can imagine is depend on a number of factrs including size, location (sup ve deep), and what important structures are around it. As surgical tech improves some tumors may become operable that werre not initially thought so. Interventional radiologist are now also using coils and embolization tequniques to stop growth of the AVM. More recently radiosurgery procedures using gamma knife have been used. To discuss which options would be best for an individual patients then would need to be seen along with their fils. It sounds to me like you do have several options and should schedule an appointment. Good luck
This information is provided for general medical education purposes. PLease consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.