Our Expertise

The vascular malformations group uses a unique team approach, with specialists in neurology, neurosurgery, radiation therapy and interventional neuroradiology, to offer a comprehensive, customized vascular malformations treatment plan for each patient. Offering the most advanced, state-of-the-art equipment, our specialists provide the best vascular malformation treatments using minimally invasive techniques.

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal cluster of blood vessels in the brain or spine that can cause devastating neurological symptoms or even death. Normally, blood is carried to the brain through arteries and emptied through veins. Between the arteries and veins are capillaries that help decrease the pressure of the returning blood to the veins and back to the heart.

Stanford Health Care has a team of AVM experts, including neurosurgeons, interventional neuroradiologists, neurologists, nurse specialists and social workers who have worked together for many years, treating 1,200 patients from all over the world.

The team uses a collaborative approach to offer the safest, most advanced treatments for brain and spine AVMs for each patient's unique needs. They meet each week to discuss treatment options for AVM patients from all over the world.

Cavernous malformation (CM) is also known as cavernous angioma, cavernous hemangioma and cavernous vascular malformation. This is a type of vascular malformation that occurs in the brain and/or spine. Cavernous malformations are made up of fragile arteries and veins that tend to leak small amounts of blood and can cause large brain hemorrhages resulting in permanent neurological deficits, if not treated.

The care team at Stanford has treated several hundred patients with cavernous malformations with excellent long term outcomes. They have developed special expertise in treating deep-seated cavernous malformations, including those in the brainstem, thalamus and basal ganglia.