300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115 (617) 355-6000 Clinical Services (Vascular Malformations of the Brain): Arteriovenous Malformations Symptoms Some AVMs cause no symptoms at all and may never be discovered, but most become symptomatic at some point during the patient's life. Some AVMs can cause seizures or persistent headaches, sometimes as painful as migraines. Other symptoms depend largely on the location of the malformation and can include weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, trouble speaking, loss of coordination, numbness, tingling or pain. If the AVM is large or is blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, severe headaches due to hydrocephalus can develop. The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.