Brain AVM and spinal hemangioma

Types of Avm's Spinal AVM
1

Hi guys,

I had an AVM in my left frontal lobe removed via craniotomy in January 2011. Now i have been diagnosed with a spinal hemangioma (after suffering chronic back pain). Just wondering if anybody else has had both of these particular vascular lesions diagnosed?

Some people have all the luck.... ;)

Cheers,
Bianca

2

Hi, Bianca, this news gives me pause, as avms are often misdiagnosed as hemangiomas. I think it is important before you have any treatment done that your spinal scans be sent to a doctor with extensive experience in spinal AVMs, just to rule that out. Zilly, for instance, has had a brain AVM and has two spinal AVMs.

There are a number of genetic conditions that can predispose people to have multiple AVMs. One of them is HHT -- you can see our HHT group for more information, or check hht.org. Sometimes, there is no family history, because someone has to be the first with the mutation.

Please keep us posted!