Vascular malformations of the brain
A guide for patients and carers
Other organisations that may be able to help
Brain and Spine Helpline
Brain and Spine Foundation
7 Winchester House
Kennington Park
Cranmer Road
London SW9 6EJ
Tel: 0808 808 1000
www.brainandspine.org.uk
(Information and support on neurological disorders for patients, carers and health professionals)
Brain and Spinal Injury Charity
(BASIC)
Neurocare Centre
554 Eccles New Road
Salford
Greater Manchester M5 2AL
Tel: 0870 750 0000
www.basiccharity.org.uk
(Information, research and support groups)
British Epilepsy Association
New Anstey House
Gate Way Drive
Yeadon
Leeds LS19 7XY
Tel: 0808 800 5050
www.epilepsy.org.uk
(Information and advice)
Chest, Heart and Stroke
Scotland
65 North Castle Street
Edinburgh
Lothian EH2 3LT
Tel: 0345 720720
www.chss.org.uk
(Advice, information, education and research in Scotland)
Crossroads
(Association of Crossroads Care Attendant Schemes)
10 Regent Place
Rugby
Warwickshire CV21 2PN
Tel: 01788 573653
www.crossroads.org.uk
(Practical support for carers; respite care at home)
Different Strokes
162 High Street
Watford
Hertfordshire WD1 2EG
Tel: 01923 240615
www.differentstrokes.co.uk
(Support for younger stroke survivors)
DVLA Drivers’ Medical Group
DVLA
Longview Road
Swansea SA99 1TU
Tel: 01792 783686
(Fitness to drive)
Epilepsy Association of Scotland
48 Govan Road
Glasgow G51 1LJ
Tel: 0141 427 4911
www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk
(Information and advice helpline)
Migraine Trust
45 Great Ormond Street
London WC1N 3HZ
Tel: 020 7831 4818
www.migrainetrust.org
(Research, training, information and support)
NHS Direct
Tel: 0845 4647
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
(Medical advice and information on NHS services)
National Society for Epilepsy
Chalfont St Peter
Gerrards Cross
Buckinghamshire SL9 ORJ
Tel: 01494 601400
www.epilepsynse.org.uk
(Medical support, counselling and information)
Speakability
(Formerly Action for Dysphasic Adults)
1 Royal Street
London SE1 7LL
Tel: 0808 808 9572
www.speakability.org.uk
(Advice and support for people affected by aphasia)
Stroke Association
Stroke House
1 Whitecross Street
London EC1Y 8JJ
Tel: 0845 303 3100
www.stroke.org.uk
(Information, support and publications)
Brain and Spine Foundation
7 Winchester House
Kennington Park
Cranmer Road
London SW9 6EJ
Tel: 0808 808 1000
www.brainandspine.org.uk
(Information and support on neurological disorders for patients, carers and health professionals)
Brain and Spinal Injury Charity
(BASIC)
Neurocare Centre
554 Eccles New Road
Salford
Greater Manchester M5 2AL
Tel: 0870 750 0000
www.basiccharity.org.uk
(Information, research and support groups)
British Epilepsy Association
New Anstey House
Gate Way Drive
Yeadon
Leeds LS19 7XY
Tel: 0808 800 5050
www.epilepsy.org.uk
(Information and advice)
Chest, Heart and Stroke
Scotland
65 North Castle Street
Edinburgh
Lothian EH2 3LT
Tel: 0345 720720
www.chss.org.uk
(Advice, information, education and research in Scotland)
Crossroads
(Association of Crossroads Care Attendant Schemes)
10 Regent Place
Rugby
Warwickshire CV21 2PN
Tel: 01788 573653
www.crossroads.org.uk
(Practical support for carers; respite care at home)
Different Strokes
162 High Street
Watford
Hertfordshire WD1 2EG
Tel: 01923 240615
www.differentstrokes.co.uk
(Support for younger stroke survivors)
DVLA Drivers’ Medical Group
DVLA
Longview Road
Swansea SA99 1TU
Tel: 01792 783686
(Fitness to drive)
Epilepsy Association of Scotland
48 Govan Road
Glasgow G51 1LJ
Tel: 0141 427 4911
www.epilepsyscotland.org.uk
(Information and advice helpline)
Migraine Trust
45 Great Ormond Street
London WC1N 3HZ
Tel: 020 7831 4818
www.migrainetrust.org
(Research, training, information and support)
NHS Direct
Tel: 0845 4647
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
(Medical advice and information on NHS services)
National Society for Epilepsy
Chalfont St Peter
Gerrards Cross
Buckinghamshire SL9 ORJ
Tel: 01494 601400
www.epilepsynse.org.uk
(Medical support, counselling and information)
Speakability
(Formerly Action for Dysphasic Adults)
1 Royal Street
London SE1 7LL
Tel: 0808 808 9572
www.speakability.org.uk
(Advice and support for people affected by aphasia)
Stroke Association
Stroke House
1 Whitecross Street
London EC1Y 8JJ
Tel: 0845 303 3100
www.stroke.org.uk
(Information, support and publications)
Contents
- Introduction
- What is a vascular malformation of the brain?
- Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
- Cavernous malformation
- Venous malformation
- What tests will the doctors do?
- What are the symptoms of a vascular malformation?
- What are the risks for the future?
- How can vascular malformations be treated?
- What is embolisation?
- What is stereotactic radiosurgery?
- What is neurosurgery?
- What other treatments might I have?
- How will my life be affected?
- Other organisations that may be able to help