Vascular malformations of the brain

A guide for patients and carers

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Other treatments for vascular malformations of the brain

This page contains information on other treatments, including drug treatments and rehabilitation.

Drug treatment


You might be given steroids to reduce any swelling in the brain around the vascular malformation before embolisation or a craniotomy. If you experience seizures, you might be given anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs). Your doctors might recommend you avoid taking aspirin, or other drugs that thin your blood and prevent it from clotting, in case your vascular malformation bleeds.

Rehabilitation


Your recovery from symptoms caused by your vascular malformation or bleeding from an AVM might be gradual. Rehabilitation could help improve your recovery. If you are admitted to hospital, nurses will be available to help you with your everyday needs. If you are staying in hospital or at home, your doctors can refer you for physiotherapy, speech and language therapy or occupational therapy, as appropriate.

  • Physiotherapy: helps physical recovery and the recovery of movements (for example, walking).

  • Speech and language therapy: helps the recovery of communication skills.

  • Occupational therapy: helps redevelop the skills you need to perform everyday activities (for example, washing, cooking and using equipment around the home).


It can be difficult to come to terms with having a vascular malformation. You might feel worried, anxious or depressed about your condition. If you are feeling stressed or concerned, you might want to talk to your GP about seeing a clinical psychologist or a counsellor.
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