X-ray imaging
X-ray imaging cannot show malformed vessels but cardiomegaly and pulmonary congestion of patients with arteriovenous malformations who report difficulties in breathing or experience heart failure. It is also effective for assessment of bone-length differences or the lesion’s growth into the bone.
Ultrasonography
With this method, types of the malformations can be determined. It is also used to see cardiac arrhythmia and the effectiveness of treatment.
Radiological Examination (Technetium 99m-labeled RBC isotope test)
This non-invasive test can examine the whole body, so it is effective at finding lesions scattered all over the body. It is also very useful for evaluation of treatment results.
Computed Tomography (CT)
This method is crucial for diagnosis and evaluation of treatment effectiveness. It is particularly necessary when its correlations with surrounding organs are assessed. CT provides the most accurate information about malformed vessels, which will be used to determine treatment. As it is three-dimensional, doctors can see how the lesion
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
In case of venous malformations, MRI is known to be more effective than CT to examine the conditions, the range of the lesions, and their correlations with surrounding organs. Thanks to its excellent soft-tissue resolution, neurovascular bundles and surrounding tissues can be easily distinguished from muscles. In a CT image, hypervascular masses may sometimes look very similar to arteriovenous malformations, and in such cases MRI is useful.
Angiography
While angiography is essential for diagnosis and treatment, it is performed only when treatment is a must because of its invasive nature.
