My wifes embolization is scheduled for end of this month but after reading that the procedure is only 20% successful, My wife does not want to go through the procedure. I am interested in knowing when there are folks who have chosen to not go through embolization procedure ?
Sam, seek out more opinions for your wife from top neurosurgeons. Then you will be in a better position to select the best course of treatment.
I had an Embolization on April 26,2013. It was where I had my bleed. My AVM had too many little ways to leak that Embolization could not fix my whole problem but it did stop the main leak and it easier to do my Gamma Knife. Good luck and prayers to
you and your wife.
Niyani
Where is your wife's AVM? Embolizations outsde the brain are usually done to decrease vascularity before AVM surgical removal. I had a 5 hour embolization for the AVM on my head and ear and then had surery to remove the AVM. I understand how your wife feels. I agree with Dancermom. Seek out as many consults and opinions about treatment with experienced AVM doctors so you both can make the best decisions for your wife's treatment. Best wishes. Kimberly
Thank you so much Niyani. What was the size of the avm and were there’s any side effects of the emboli cation
I had two embolization procedures on my AVM before undergoing my craniotomy. My understanding of the "reason" for the emboization procedures was not to "cure" my AVM, but to make the following craniotomy procedure I had "safer". The craniotomy is what "cured" or completely "eradicated" my AVM.
Here is a more detailed description of both procedures: http://www.aneurysm-stroke.com/av-malformation.php
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My AVM is a grade1-2. I believe it’s 2cm. I was fortunate and did not
have any problems with my Embolization. I have had more issues with the
Gamma Knife.
Niyani
I’m on the same page as Michele. I had an aneurysm rupture in July. They did an embolization to coil the aneurysm. Which is how I found out I even had an AVM. In August after giving time for swelling to go down they did another emobolization and this time it was to insert glue into the vessels of the AVM to stop the blood flow. He was able to fill 70% of the vessels. It shrunk dramatically in size and made my craniotomy in November much easier for the surgeon.
Hi Sam! I had an embolization back in 2011 and am so Grateful to tell you that this treatment option reduced my AVM by 85+% and did not have any side effects thru it. While this did not "cure" or "Obliterate" my AVM, this procedure did save my life :)! Noted below is some additional information on the embolization treatment option that I wanted to share in hopes that it will help comfort you and your wife's concerns around this treatment option. I did proceed with the radiation treatment after my embolization and am so very Thankful to tell you that I received my "AVM-FREE" report In May of 2013. One thing that I've realized thru my journey is that there is not one treatment option that does not come without any risks or side effects, yet we just have to place our Trust in our doctors and share with them all of the questions/concerns that you we have.
The chances of completely curing an AVM using only embolization treatment is about 20%. Certain types of AVM are more suitable for embolization and have a much higher cure rate. The AVM is reduced in size most instances and can be suitable for other forms of therapy such as radiation and surgery. It is very common for doctors to recommend embolization prior to the other forms of therapy. The chances of completely curing an AVM using only embolization treatment is about 20%. Certain types of AVM are more suitable for embolization and have a much higher cure rate. The AVM is reduced in size most instances and can be suitable for other forms of therapy such as radiation and surgery. It is very common for doctors to recommend embolization prior to the other forms of therapy.
Blessings to you and your wife in making the decision that is best for her!
Michele
My father had an embolization in June of last year. I wish I had the information then that I do now. I am not sure how old your wife is but my father was 76 at the time. He was a perfect candidate for the embolization but suffered a few strokes after the procedure. He is alive and healthy but has speech problems, balance problems, and double vision. I know the doctors saved his life but I don’t think he would have made the decision to have the surgery had he known the high risk of a stroke.
I am sorry to be the negative but I wish I had seen some of the risks before the surgery that the doctor never explained to my family.
My prayers are with your wife, yourself, and your family in making this very difficult decision.
Embolization allows a reduction of the high flow in AVM, and oftern precceds another treatment (radiation, surgery or another embolization). If you are lucky, it may totally obliterate the AVM. What do you mean by " 20 % successfull"? Could be that the meaning is 20% of total obliteration, without any other treatment. This was my case: after a 4-5 hours procedure, the AVM was totally filled but such a success was even not expected by my doctors, who were as happy as I was! Ask for more information to your neurosurgeon/neuroradiologist, and if you don't feel convinced, ask for other specialized opinions.
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Hello,
I had two embolization procedures before my stereotactic radiation and everything went well. I'm avm free after 3 years post radiation :)
Sam, I understand you and your wife's concerns and it is really frustrating. My daughter's AVM was grade 6 and she underwent 15 embolization procedures; it was nerve racking! Embolization was our only option and that was coming from every Dr. we saw and we were shuffled pretty much around the world because some of the doctors refused her case - not very encouraging considering. Anyway, I truly believe that the embolization's that she had done extended her life the extra 11 years we weren't supposed to have (she passed in 2011). Yes there were some drawbacks but they were worth the risk in our eyes. She did end up loosing her hearing in her left ear and she also had to have a shunt installed to help drain her left ventricle because it got plugged. What I am trying to say is don't let the things that are said her discourage you guys from treatment what ever it is. Follow your heart.
Hi Sam!
I agree--seek out more opinions from top neurosurgeons! The first opinion we received was to go for embolizations. Our second and third opinions were in agreement that Gamma Knife was the way to go in our case. We are glad we went with Gamma Knife. Each case is different, and it may be that embolization is the best treatment for your wife. Taking time to talk to other skilled doctors with AVM experience will help you determine the best treatment plan. I wish you all the best.
Rebecca
Hi Sam.
In the beginning I waited for “Onyx” to be FDA approved in the U.S. Then my doctors said “no” to embolization because of the various sizes and twists in my AVM.
On November 3rd of 2013 I had an aneurysm inside of the AVM rupture. It had been bleeding slowly for 2 weeks.
Maybe 3 weeks before this I had 2 conferences of doctors say no to embolization while they reviewed my case.
By November 5th I was having embolization in my AVM on my aneurysm. 2 days in a row actually as the blood was blocking view and when they put me under to check I chose to be put all the way under just in case they saw more that needed embolization.
All situations are different and circumstances change. Maybe ask why they chose embolization and what the subsequent treatment plan is. If they say there is no need for one, Great!! Just remember to make them explain “why”.
If they say something like radiation then they need to explain to you why they feel there is not enough time to wait for radiation to take effect rather than embolization.
They’ll always give blurry answers when you ask for your “specific” percent chances, and my doctors have even admitted to it being because we’re all different.
Research all you can, but don’t let it scare you. Write down questions for the doctor so you don’t forget anything in the shuffle that are medical appointments and question everything in the mean time.
2nd and third opinions are your right as a patient/ husband.
Prayers to you both.
couldn't have said it better myself!
Hi Sam,
I had two embolizations in 2011 and I’m happy I did. They coiled 95% and I temporary lost movement on my right wide for about 3 weeks but it all came back. They finished with stereotactic radiation and I was lucky that I didn’t have side affects besides being a little bit tired for a while. In my experience, the embolizations was the least invasive (I had to get a halo for radiation), and out of the whole experience it was the least painful and scary.
Good luck in your journey and I will keep you in my prayers,
Kim
There are risks with any/all procedures -- the question to ask yourself is: what is more likely to incapacitate you or worsen your quality of life; is it possible problems after having surgery/embolization, or is it not having treatment and instead having a significant bleed that could have the same, or worse affects on you?
I have two avm's -- one that I could have treated with embolization, and another that is not operable and can only be treated with gamma knife radiosurgery. I chose to do nothing to the inoperable avm, and chose embolization for the other. The embolization was successful in treating/curing the operable avm.
Hi Sam,
I can understand her apprehension regarding embolization.
Have you spoken to the doctors to see what the best treatment options are? Often time embolization is used in conjunction with another form of treatment like radio surgery or a full resection.
I would also suggest a second opinion if you have not already had one.
Keep us posted and good luck to you and your wife