Cerebrovascular Conditions
Cerebrovascular Conditions
Signs and symptoms of a brain tumor in children vary greatly and depend on the brain tumor type, size, location and rate of growth. Some signs and symptoms may not be easy to detect because they're similar to symptoms of other conditions.
Some of the more common symptoms of a brain tumor in children include:
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Aneurysms
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Arteriovenous malformations (AVM)
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Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM)
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Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF)
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Carotid-Cavernous Fistula
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Carotid Stenosis
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TIA and Stroke
What is a Brain Aneurysm?
An aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain. Aneurysms are most common in 35- to 65-year-olds. They occur at the base of the brain and are usually caused by a defect in an artery that was present since birth. Smoking, high blood pressure and other genetic factors can increase the risk of an aneurysm rupturing. A subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when the aneurysm ruptures, leading to bleeding on the brain’s surface and into the subarachnoid space. These hemorrhages often happen without warning and can be life threatening. Because blood supply to part of the brain is reduced or completely blocked, there is also a risk of stroke when an aneurysm ruptures Before rupturing, aneurysms usually produce no symptoms or warning signs. Once an aneurysm ruptures you can experience “the worst headache ever.” You may fall unconscious quickly or remain unconscious. The majority of patients who come to us have already had their aneurysms burst. However, with more sophisticated technology, we are seeing an increasing number of patients whose aneurysms have not ruptured.
What is a Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation or AVM?
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a tangled cluster of vessels in the brain in which arteries connect directly to veins with no intervening capillary bed. They can occur in any part of the brain. Brain AVMs occur in less than 1% of the population. They are more common in males than females. We currently do not know why AVMs occur. An increased prevalence has been seen in conditions such as hereditary hemorrhagic teleangiectasia.
AVMs often cause no symptoms until complications develop, such as brain hemorrhage or bleeding into the brain. Some AVMs may produce a swooshing sound that can be heard through a stethoscope. Other symptoms may include:
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Pulsing noise in head
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Headache
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Progressive weakness or numbness
Some studies have suggested that patients may suffer a seizure due to an AVM. These patients are at higher risk of hemorrhage. The studies also suggest that in the first year following a spontaneous AVM hemorrhage, the risk of bleeding again may be as high as 6% to 18%.
If bleeding occurs, symptoms may include:
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Sudden, severe headache
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Weakness or numbness
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Vision loss
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Difficulty speaking
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Inability to understand others
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Severe unsteadiness
