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What Causes Seizures With History Of Arterial Venevous Malformations?

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Posted on Mon, 22 Dec 2014
Question: I had a arterial venevous malformations that was clipped. 2005
I'm having seizures again every week,. I called an ambulance last week and I was sent home, even after explaining that I had a cold trickle down the middle of my forehead and I felt like I was unable to move for awhile.
In the weeks prior I had had by slipping over a number of hits to the head.
Last week I tripped and landed on my knees, hands and chin.
I am feeling numbing below my knees and a throbbing pain sometimes in my thigh.
I'm worried about having another bleed.
Last time I lost ONE quarter of my brain, next I might not be as lucky..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Probable epileptic seizure, EEG and treatment needed.

Detailed Answer:
I read you question carefully and I am sorry about the issues you are experiencing.

I am a little uncertain about your previous malformation. You say it was an AVM (arteriovenous malformation) but then you say it was clipped and that doesn't correspond to AVM surgery because it consists in removal of the AVM not clipping. Clipping is done usually for another malformation which is a brain aneurism.

If it was an AVM then to judge about the risk of rebleeding it would be useful to know whether the surgery removed it completely or whether there were residual remains in follow up brain imaging. If it was removed completely then there is no reason to think about a re-occurrence of the hemorrhage, if it was partial then such a risk exists, but I suppose you would have been told that by the surgeons because control imaging tests would be necessary. However if you are not sure no harm in checking the documentation.

As for the symptoms you describe I don't think that it is the case of a hemorrhage, a hemorrhage is an acute event with as you know heavy consequences (headache, vomiting, paralysis, alteration of consciousness), symptoms would not regress and then repeat itself over and over the way you are describing.

A similar reasoning is valid in case the clipping was for an aneurysm, the risk of re-occurrence is very, very low and it would be a very dramatic event usually without warning symptoms.

So I want to reassure you that while I understand the traumatic event you have experienced you should understand that if the surgery was successful there is no reason to fear a repeat hemorrhage.

However the damage your brain has sustained in the past is a possible cause for epileptic seizures which can can be partial (without loss of consciousness) or generalized. So I concur that there is a high probability that the episodes you describe are seizures and I think you should be evaluated in that direction with an EEG and start anti-epileptic treatment.

I don't know what kind of options and follow-up you've had since you mention to live in a small town, but it would be advisable to be evaluated and prescribed the treatment by a neurologist because it's the case of a long-term treatment and the efficacy and side effects of the drugs should be evaluated in repeat visits.

I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (41 hours later)
Thanks for getting back to me. Through having an MRI, I discovered I had an AVM. I was booked to have surgery to fix the problem BUT I hemorrhaged before I made the planned surgery. On my MRI scans you can see that they have removed a 1/4 section of my brain. I know that I will have seizures and the fact that I have hit my head a number of times and the seizures have increased and changed, I'M SCARED. I have had fall about 3 weeks ago and I was numb and tingling from my knees down, feeling great today. Also had a throbbing sore spot upper thigh but today it's good. Do you think, maybe I have a little clothes floating around
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
We need to explore better seizure prevention therapies...

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me.

It is unclear whether you are currently taking any treatment for your seizures.
You say none was given in the tried medications field which I find surprising with your history. If indeed none was given as I said you should be evaluated by the neurologist with also EEG and started treatment.
While even under treatment it's possible some seizures may happen, it can however drastically reduce them and improve your quality of life.

Even if you are under treatment (if so please say which drug), there are many anti-epileptics available with different ways of action and if your seizures are not adequately controlled other drugs could be tried or added to the current regimen by your neurologist.

If under a previously successful therapy and seizures have increase without any apparent cause (infection, lifestyle changes), then a control brain imaging could be scheduled, although as I said if surgery achieved complete removal of AVM, confirmed in a follow up imaging test there is no reason to fear a re-occurrence.

I must say I am not sure what your last sentence meant "Do you think, maybe I have a little clothes floating around", I am sorry, perhaps it's due to my english, you could try to explain it in other words.

Feel free to ask for further info.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3673 Questions

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What Causes Seizures With History Of Arterial Venevous Malformations?

Brief Answer: Probable epileptic seizure, EEG and treatment needed. Detailed Answer: I read you question carefully and I am sorry about the issues you are experiencing. I am a little uncertain about your previous malformation. You say it was an AVM (arteriovenous malformation) but then you say it was clipped and that doesn't correspond to AVM surgery because it consists in removal of the AVM not clipping. Clipping is done usually for another malformation which is a brain aneurism. If it was an AVM then to judge about the risk of rebleeding it would be useful to know whether the surgery removed it completely or whether there were residual remains in follow up brain imaging. If it was removed completely then there is no reason to think about a re-occurrence of the hemorrhage, if it was partial then such a risk exists, but I suppose you would have been told that by the surgeons because control imaging tests would be necessary. However if you are not sure no harm in checking the documentation. As for the symptoms you describe I don't think that it is the case of a hemorrhage, a hemorrhage is an acute event with as you know heavy consequences (headache, vomiting, paralysis, alteration of consciousness), symptoms would not regress and then repeat itself over and over the way you are describing. A similar reasoning is valid in case the clipping was for an aneurysm, the risk of re-occurrence is very, very low and it would be a very dramatic event usually without warning symptoms. So I want to reassure you that while I understand the traumatic event you have experienced you should understand that if the surgery was successful there is no reason to fear a repeat hemorrhage. However the damage your brain has sustained in the past is a possible cause for epileptic seizures which can can be partial (without loss of consciousness) or generalized. So I concur that there is a high probability that the episodes you describe are seizures and I think you should be evaluated in that direction with an EEG and start anti-epileptic treatment. I don't know what kind of options and follow-up you've had since you mention to live in a small town, but it would be advisable to be evaluated and prescribed the treatment by a neurologist because it's the case of a long-term treatment and the efficacy and side effects of the drugs should be evaluated in repeat visits. I remain at your disposal for further questions.