I had my 5th Embolization on the 11th of June 2010, I was told post procedure that they managed to ONYX a little bit and the post operative notes say Residual AVM remaining after 6 hour procedure. I have no clarification on how much is left. Speaking to my consultant Neurosurgeon March 2010 he advised me that this would hopefully be the last embolization and that what is left is the difficult stuff which they are finding tricky.
Speaking to the radiologist the night before the procedure, he advised me that during embolization number 4 in February 2010 they spent a few hours trying to get into a certain part of the AVM, using about a 1metre of wire, and they couldn't get in. So they decided to give me a 4 month break between embolizzations to see if new channels opened up within the AVM, to allow them a way through.
I Feel alot worse this time post procedure, especially with the headaches i feel like i have a stiff neck must be all the wires they sent through all my vessels.
I have come to a stage where I cannot do quick recoveries, after the last few i was back into my routine within a few weeks, but i know this time it will take longer, as I am feeling a lot worse off. I always go into the Embolization thinking this will be the last one, as that is what my Neuro Surgeon tells me. I have now decided to speak direct with my Radiologist as he can atleast tell me whats happening and whether or not another Embolization will take place.