How are arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) diagnosed?

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How are arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and conduct a physical exam. They’ll sometimes listen for a bruit, which is a rapid blood flow sound heard in arteries and veins when an AVM is present.

Imaging tests used to detect arteriovenous malformations include:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  • Computed tomography.
  • Catheter angiography. A tube, called a catheter is inserted into an artery in your groin and moved to the area to be investigated. Dyes and X-rays are used to view details of your blood vessels.
  • Ultrasound. Uses sound waves to produce pictures.

Brain imaging tests for suspected brain AVMs may include:

  • Cerebral magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Uses magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of your blood vessels in and around your brain.
  • Computed tomography angiography (CTA). Uses X-rays to see detailed pictures of your blood vessels.
  • Transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Uses sound waves to determine the speed of blood flow through your brain.

Because many AVMs don’t cause symptoms, some are only discovered during an imaging test for another condition (such as injuries, vision problems or headaches) or after they bleed and cause symptoms.

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