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 This is Maddy! She lives in Boston and is our newest Friend.
Madison was diagnosed in May of 2006 with an abnormality called Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), by Dr. Mulliken at Children’s Hospital in Boston. It wasn’t until recently on November 3, 2008 that we realized and were told honestly how very serious this medical condition could be after a drastic change in Madison’s right cheek area.Vascular malformations are considered some of the most difficult disease entities than can be encountered in the practice of medicine. These are very rare lesions and occur in less than 1% of the population, according to a medical book written by Dr. Wayne Yakes. Madison's AVM first started in her right soft tissue of her cheek, which is even more rare and therefore, even harder to treat. Vascular malformations are lesions that someone is born with. In Madison case she always had the appearance of a birthmark on her right cheek. It is not a birthmark.It is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins. The veins get bigger due to their demand of more blood flow, which creates the arteries to get bigger. A "vicious" cycle with enlarging arteries feeding the demand of larger and larger veins.
Very few doctors have significant expertise in this area and may go their entire career without ever seeing one.
Treatment for AVM's is very limited. Surgery to remove the malformation was how they were first treated. Now, it seems, that this has proven often to make a worse situation. Resection is very difficult, extremely hazardous, and only partial resections could be applied. Over time, the blood vessels that were left behind will grow and may cause worse symptoms.
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