How are cavernous malformations different from other types of blood vessel malformations?

How are cavernous malformations different from other types of blood vessel malformations?

Another common type of blood vessel malformation is an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Unlike cavernous malformations, which are filled with slow-moving or stagnant (not moving) blood, AVMs involve high-pressure blood flow.

Cavernous malformations and AVMs can be similar in size, depending on the number of blood vessels involved. They can both rupture and bleed. If they do bleed, however, the high-pressure blood flow of an AVM can be more severe and cause more damage.

After AVMs, cavernous malformations are the most likely type of blood vessel lesion to need treatment. Surgery, as well as other options, is available for treating AVMs. Cavernous malformations, however, are best treated with surgery to remove the lesion.

Two other types of blood vessel malformations are capillary telangiectases and venous malformations. These lesions rarely rupture or cause damage.