The story of V.A., an 8-year-old girl from Ho Chi Minh City, is a powerful reminder that stroke in children, often caused by congenital brain vascular malformations, is a serious but often overlooked condition.

Shock and Disbelief: When a Child is Diagnosed with Stroke

In 2024, V.A., a seemingly healthy young girl, suddenly developed a severe headache, followed by confusion and loss of consciousness. Her family was shocked when doctors diagnosed her with a stroke. MRI and DSA imaging later confirmed a ruptured congenital arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her brain, which had led to a haemorrhagic stroke.

Thanks to timely emergency care, V.A. was able to overcome the most critical phase of her condition. One month later, her family placed their trust in the endovascular intervention team at FV Hospital. Dr Danh performed a delicate procedure to “seal off” the ruptured blood vessel, similar to patching a leaking pipe. “The rupture site was extremely fragile and could have re-ruptured at any moment, so prompt intervention was essential,” Dr Danh explained.

In April 2025, FV’s endovascular intervention team, with support from two U.S.-based paediatric neurointerventional experts, Dr Collin Torok and Dr Jason Carroll, performed a second procedure to completely treat the remaining malformation. “Treating brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in children is particularly complex due to the small size of the vessels and the fact that they may receive blood supply from both the anterior and posterior circulatory systems. This requires thorough planning to ensure a definitive solution,” the doctor explained.

The intervention went smoothly, thanks to close coordination with FV’s experienced paediatric anaesthesia team. V.A.’s condition has been steadily improving. While some weakness remains in her fingers, she is bravely undergoing physical therapy and taking neuro-supportive medication – gradually reclaiming the bright childhood she deserves.

Paediatric Vascular Intervention: A Promising but Challenging Frontier

Endovascular treatment in children remains a relatively new and specialised field. At FV Hospital, ongoing efforts are being made to bring hope to young patients. The successful treatment of V.A. stands as a testament to this commitment. Few hospitals are equipped to perform such interventions in children, as this area of care requires a rare combination of deep expertise, advanced medical technology, and human compassion.

Successfully performing such complex procedures has paved the way for a promising, minimally invasive treatment option for paediatric patients. Open surgery can be especially traumatic for children and often carries greater risks. In contrast, endovascular intervention significantly reduces these risks, enabling faster recovery and minimising long-term complications. This is particularly important, as every medical procedure can influence a child’s ongoing growth and development.

Paediatric Anaesthesia at FV: Dedicated to Children’s Health

In complex neurological cases, the role of the anaesthesiology and intensive care team is vital. At FV Hospital, the paediatric anaesthesia team combines years of experience with specialised training to safely manage and anaesthetise children of all ages, including infants under one year old.

This capability is particularly noteworthy, as safely administering anaesthesia to young and vulnerable patients requires highly specialised expertise that few hospitals can provide. It also reflects FV’s strong commitment to paediatric care, ensuring timely treatment and renewed hope for families.

Paediatric Stroke: Warning Signs and Prevention

Though rare, stroke in children, often caused by congenital vascular malformations, is extremely dangerous. It typically occurs without warning and progresses rapidly, leaving families unprepared. Symptoms such as severe headaches, drowsiness, limb weakness, or loss of consciousness must be treated as medical emergencies. Children should be taken to a hospital immediately. Timely intervention is critical and should begin even before CT imaging reveals brain swelling or herniation, as delays can lead to death or severe disability.

Endovascular therapy offers an effective approach to blocking blood flow to malformed vessels, helping to shrink the lesion and lower the risk of haemorrhage. “Most of these malformations do not affect functional areas of the brain, so if handled with the right technique, they can be treated without causing damage or long-term effects,” an FV doctor explained.

Treating complex cases like V.A.’s requires a modern Cathlab, high-resolution DSA imaging systems, and a team of specialists highly trained in neurointerventional and endovascular techniques. FV Hospital is proud to offer these advanced resources, supported by a dedicated team that has successfully treated numerous challenging cases in both children and adults.

For more information about paediatric treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations, please contact FV Hospital at (028) 3511 3333.