subject: Cyberknife Treatment for Arteriovenous Malformation [print this page] Cyberknife Treatment for Arteriovenous Malformation
AVM or Arteriovenous Malformation is an abnormal clustering of blood vessels that happens within the vessels that supports the brain and the spinal cord. In a human cardiovascular system structure, blood vessels called arteries carry blood away from the heart, transporting oxygenated blood into various organs, except with pulmonary artery's case. Arteries branch out to smaller ones called capillaries where the actual exchange of nutrients and by products like carbon dioxide occurs. The deoxygenated blood will then be carried through the veins back to the heart for re-nourishment. But in a person with AVM, the blood goes from arteries then, directly to the veins, without passing through the capillaries, making the blood that flows to brain and spinal cord unoxygenated. Case leads to tangling of vessels, usually during the embryonic period affecting fetal brain and/or spinal cord. The condition's major symptom is unpredictable and episodic brain or spinal bleeding or hemorrhage. Manifesting the symptom may result to 10% chance of dying and 20% chance of neurologic abnormalities. Other symptoms include muscle weakness, paralysis, seizures, ataxia or uncoordinated body movements, visual disturbances and the presence of bruit, a distinctive "whooshing" sound brought about by the excessive rushing of blood flow through the arteries and veins of an AVM. Procedures like cerebral angiogram, CT scan and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are done to confirm the abnormality. Possible treatments are the surgery, endovascular embolization and stereostatic radiosugery. The surgical removal of the affected vessel or tumor indicates that the patient is cured but it opens the possibility to different complications like infection, cardiovascular disease or stroke and other neurological problems. On the other hand, endovascular embolization is a procedure by which a catheter is inserted into a leg artery, threading to the brain's artery using X-ray imaging and injecting a glue-like substance to block and reduce blood flow into the AVM. Lastly, stereostatic radiosugery uses radiation is used to destroy the AVM. But possibility of occurrence of headaches, seizures and scar formation can also occur after the procedure. Then, another technological treatment is developed. That is the Cyberknife treatment for arteriovenous malformation.
Cyberknife treatment for arteriovenous malformation is a state-of-the-art development using well developed technology, making the procedure more comfortable and more effective. It is a modified streostatic radiosurgery procedure. But compared to the usual stereo radiosurgery, this procedure does not need to put patient in a frame to control his movements. The patient lies on a table comfortably, as the computer-controlled robotic arm moves around him and an X-ray machine directs radiation to the target area in different and various positions and angles. This avoids possible damage to surrounding tissues. No scars are formed. Also, throughout the treatment, there are cameras that provides image guide to accurately locate a tumor. Since non-invasive, the procedure is painless, no scalpel is used and requires minimal or even the absence of sedation. Also, no blood loss complication is manifested in this procedure. The patient can also get back to his/her usual lifestyle after the treatment.
One of the best Cyberknife treatments for arteriovenous Malformation in the world is Colorado Cyberknife. It is also the first Robotic Cyberknife Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) System, creating a greater hope for cancer patients. It offers individual planning treatment and ensures quality and safe care for every patient. It makes use of comprehensive system that manages every aspect of health care for the patient from pre-planning down to its post-delivery. All of which enabled them to be universally recognized in the field of radiation oncology.
