Good morning, my name is Debbie. I am seeking advice and understanding on my latest MRI results please. The result mentions a rather large DVA in right cerebellum, with signs of previous haemorrhage. Saw Nuerosurgeon who looked at the images and says that this is not a DVA. It is a round spot, rather than the usual spindle type formation of a DVA. He said that he is quite concerned and that I need to see a doctor at the Radiology Interventional Centre. I am based in South Africa. His referral note mentions a possible MRA or angiography. I cant make out the rest of the note to the referring doctor. I have been suffering with headaches, nausea, vertigo and ringing right ear for 10 weeks now. Was treated for viral infection of inner ear, without any improvement. I have spinal issues, trapped nerves due to disc protrusions in cervical and lumbar areas. My right ear also goes purple at times and then bright red and hot. I am rather stressed about all of this and am wanting to find out if anyone can please help and point me in the right direction please.
Hi Debbie,
I am still new to all of this and my situation is a lot different than yours. I canāt offer advice, but my thoughts are with you, and I hope you are able to find answers and feel some peace.
Hi Andrea,
Many thanks for your kind words. I certainly hope that your situation is not too serious and that you receive the relevant treatment so improve your situation.
Kind regards,
Debbie
Hi. Welcome to the site. A āDVAā is not a term Iāve seen regularly on hereā¦ does it mean a ādevelopmental venous anomalyā? And I guess the neuro is trying to identify whether it is a DVA or some other thing, e.g. an aneurysm or whatever.
The mra or angiogram is a common diagnosis for AVMs. If you have any questions about what happens in an mra or angiogram, lots of people here will be able to support you. It does sound like something is giving you āinterestingā symptoms, so definitely worth getting a detailed scan like an angiogram completed to decide what you have.
Not everyone has treatment for an AVM, not everyone can have treatment for an AVM, so what happens after the scan will need to be advised by the radiologist and/or the neuro.
Hi Richard,
Many thanks for your response. Yes, DVA is Developmental Venous Anomaly. He said that the view of the MRI is not indicative of a DVA, as it is not a āspider likeā visual, but rather a āspotā showing previous haemorrhage. He wonāt give me any indications of what he suspects, I guess for fear of me worrying. I do appreciate the time you have taken to respond.
Many thanks and kind regards,
Debbie
Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone may be able to shed light on the following please. Yesterday I had a severe throbbing headache and went to lie down. Whilst lying down, I felt the throbbing in time with my heartbeat. After about 25 minutes of laying down, I heard a sudden noise, which startled me. It sounded like the release of pressure (like when you open a gas tank etc). It lasted only about 2 seconds and then passed. However, the pain in my head has not subsided much and I feel rather āout of bodyā like. Almost lightheaded, slightly unsteady on my feet at times and my right ear is quite purple on the outside.
Any advice would be most welcome. I am seeing the doctor at Radiology tomorrow for a consult.
Thanks,
Debs
No idea. It is typical to have a pulsating headache in time with your heartbeat for some things (not sure if typical for AVM). No idea about the noise. Definitely talk to the consultant tomorrow but if you ever have a sudden change in health, always go to the Emergency Room. i.e. if you ever feel suddenly unwell.
Take pictures just in case. It clears itself up and MAKE SURE they follow up. There are a number of conditions where thee āspotā on your brain and the purple ear go together. They are rare but also treatable. Polychondritis and Wegners (a form of vaculitis) come to mind. The noise you reported is also consistent. Its not any of these things but make SURE your doc and the Radiologist are full awareā¦
Thank you so much all,
I saw the Vascular specialist on Tuesday. I do not have an AVM, however to have a Developmental Venous Anomaly as well as a cavernous hemangioma, which has haemorrhaged previously. This has formed a benign tumor in the cerebellum, so no need now for any intervention.
Thank you all for your wonderful advice and support and wishing you all the very best in your individual journeys.
Kind regards,
Debs
Hi Deb,
Iām new here too. I have a hemangioma in my tonsil that isnāt being addressed quite yet because the DAVF is more serious and being addressed first.
However, if your hemangioma has hemorrhaged once already I would ask if the doctors can embolize it. That would prevent any future bleeds from it and cause it to shrink a bit too, relieving any pressure itās causing on your brain. That may be the only treatment your hemangioma would need at all.
Donāt know about DAVās since Iāve never heard of them until now. But I do research online everything I can find from the medical community on my conditions as Iām told I have them: what it is, how I got it, how it can be treated, how those various treatments are done. I also researched the doctors and hospital too to make sure they were good. All that information helps take a lot of the fear away since youād know the options and can look up anything you donāt understand. Helps you and the doctor to be āon the same pageā when discussing your particular condition and options. I know it helped me immensely. He said it was a pleasure to work with a well educated patient. I just know it helped me with my fears.
I wish you all the best luck in the world.
Hi there Loripetnut,
Many thanks for your reply as well as your advice. I will be seeing my specialist physician tomorrow and will also ask her. They donāt seem to want to do anything, however I am due to fly overseas in December and am wondering whether there is cause for concern to fly, based on the previous haemorrhage.
I will keep on with the doctors until I get the answers that I need as I am feeling quite helpless and depressed at the situation.
Wishing you all the best with your DAVF treatment and hope you make a full recovery.
Kindest regards,
Debs
Thanks so much. Iām really hoping they get it all this time.
You might want to ask about the safety of flying in a pressurized cabinā¦it might have affect your hemangioma. I know raised BP affects it so why not higher air pressure from the plane? Better to ask than not to. Good luck with your appt. tomorrow Debs.