Vascular malformations can occur anywhere in the body, however in the brain they pose particular dangers from bleeding as well as affecting the surrounding tissues, which may cause seizures and headaches. Vascular malformations may be congenital (that is, a person is born with one) or acquired (develops during life).
Vascular malformations may be treated via an endovascular operation, open surgery or external radiation therapy. The form of treatment can depend on the nature and location of the vascular malformation, and not uncommonly staged multimodality treatment is required. NIISwa Interventional Neuroradiologists, as a team, perform all the endovascular operations on vascular malformations of the brain, head, neck and spine in WA, and regularly consult with surgeons and radiation oncologists regarding the potential treatments for amenable lesions to ensure optimal treatment for patients.
For more information, we advise that you speak to your doctor, who can refer you onto a Interventional Neuroradiologist at NIISwa if appropriate.