Hi all, new here and looking for some input.
After an MRI for a back issue, an incidental finding of an AMV was discovered on the left side of my brain. I have been advised to have surgery in the hopes of a full removal.
Does anyone have experience of surgery on an AVM in this area, and if so may I ask what your experience has been?
Thanks so much in advance
Jennie
Hi Jennie, and welcome! Our usual greeting here is that its great you found us, too bad you had a reason to look! My AVM was on the inner side of the eft temporal, and fund due to haemorrhage, which was not a great experience. I had two treatment options, craniotomy and gamma knife. Gamma knife was the chosen option due to less risk. It was a tough decision, but I had total faith in my neuro team which sure helped. It was hard to make the decision, but I was at peace with it, often not knowing if the decision is right until after the fact. Take Care, John.
Hi Jennie,
I had an AVM removed from the front left side of my brain. I was asleep during the whole operation.
I have recovered remarkably, a few side effects in the first year were at times broken sleep and some short and long term memory loss, not enough to cause any problems. Also lost the sensation to spice. No doubt I can not eat the hottest food on the planet. Sometimes not a good idea.
But overall, I had a positive experience and and happy to answer any questions you may have. Surgery was my only option because my feed to the AVM was straight and strong. Embolisation would not have been an option.
Wishing you all the best in the world with your surgery.
Oh one more thing, I went for a local point surgery, meaning, they entered and cut into the cranium where the AVM was positioned. They also blended the cut into my frown lines, as opposed to a full ear to ear cut and recovery.
Sending you the best.
Omar