is a carotid cavernous fistula an AVM? thanks Huey
If you are asking if it is okay for you to be on the website, then yes, of course, Huey. A carotid cavernous fistula is a vascular anomaly, and so is an avm, but they are not exactly the same thing. A carotid cavernous fistula is an AVF (arteriovenous fistula). An avf has a single abnormal connection between an artery and vein, while an avm has multiple abnormal connections.
This is from the Hopkins website:
There are two major types of AVFs: dural AVFs and carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). These are acquired lesions, which means that patients are not born with them, but instead develop them later in life. They can be a result of infection or traumatic injuries, but most develop without any specific precipitating event. Patients with dural AVFs typically present with a rumbling noise in one ear that follows the heartbeat, which is called a bruit. Patients with CCFs typically present with swelling and redness of one or both eyes in addition to a bruit.