In these malformations, also called AVMs, blood vessels in the brain or spinal cord are tangled and abnormally connected. 

Normally, arteries carry oxygen-enriched blood from the heart and  lungs to the rest of the body, and veins bring the blood back to be  replenished. Arteries and veins are connected by smaller blood vessels  called capillaries. In AVMs, arteries and veins are snarled and directly connected, disrupting proper blood flow.

Most AVMs are present at birth. Some AVMs cause no symptoms, and  others are diagnosed after a child has bleeding in the brain, a stroke or a seizure. AVMs can  cause damage by bleeding into the brain, by lowering the amount of  oxygen that reaches the brain, and by pressing on the brain or spinal  cord. Surgery may be needed.

A rare but especially severe form, a birth defect called vein of Galen malformation, involves a  large vein deep in the brain. This type is often accompanied by hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain, and signs of heart failure.

In moyamoya disease, first described in Japan, large arteries at the base of the brain narrow, restricting blood flow. Smaller arteries expand to compensate, forming a pattern that looks like a "puff of smoke" — moyamoya in Japanese.

This rare, progressive disorder affects mostly children. It's often diagnosed after a child has a stroke caused by a lack of blood flow to part of the brain, or a transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke).

Because moyamoya gets worse over time, early diagnosis is important. Surgery to bypass blocked blood vessels and restore blood flow is necessary to avoid problems such as brain damage from repeated strokes.

Cavernous malformations, also called cavernomas or cavernous angiomas, are abnormal clusters of small, enlarged blood vessels with pockets or “caverns” of slow-flowing blood. This disorder has several subtypes, including some that run in families.

These malformations generally pose less risk than AVMs, but they can sometimes bleed and cause seizures. Surgical removal is sometimes recommended.

In these malformations, also called developmental venous anomalies or DVAs, small veins drain into and radiate from a larger vein. They are present at birth and relatively common, affecting as many as one in 50 people. They generally cause no symptoms and usually do not require treatment.

These are small clusters of abnormally enlarged capillaries in the brain. They usually cause no problems and generally require no treatment.

This rare condition involves a malformation in which veins inside the brain’s coverings are abnormally connected to the drainage pathways of veins outside the brain. This sometimes produces a blue birthmark or soft mass on a child’s head.

These anomalies can be present at birth or can result from injury. Surgery may be recommended if they pose a risk of bleeding. 

These are abnormal bulges or weak areas in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain. They are rare in children. They require surgical repair because they pose a significant risk if they burst.

Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses radio waves (not radiation, like X-rays), a large magnet and a computer to create detailed images of the body's internal structures.

Single photo emission computed tomography, or SPECT fusion imaging, can give doctors a high-resolution look at the brain's blood flow.

In this test, scans are taken after a special dye is injected to highlight the brain's blood vessels.

Computed tomography imaging, also called a CT scan or CAT scan, uses an X-ray beam that circles the body to create cross-section and three-dimensional views. Sometimes patients are given intravenous dye to help features stand out. CT scans provide detailed images of bone and soft tissues, including blood vessels. Doernbecher introduced technology to reduce the radiation exposure from CT scans by up to 60 percent.

An electroencephalogram or EEG uses small metal electrodes attached to the scalp to measure the brain's electrical activity. This can help show abnormalities in the brain's functioning.

Some patients with cerebrovascular conditions have seizures. Doernbecher’s Pediatric Epilepsy Center — the only children’s comprehensive epilepsy clinic in Oregon — offers the latest in monitoring, imaging and treatment.

Some patients with cerebrovascular conditions have strokes or transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes). Our Pediatric Stroke Program brings specialists together to provide full assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and monitoring services.

In rare cases, a malformation can be associated with hydrocephalus, in which too much cerebrospinal fluid — the liquid that cushions the brain and spinal cord — builds up and puts pressure on the brain. Our pediatric specialists offer world-class expertise and excellent outcomes in treating this condition.