Initial clinical signs and results of surgical removal of cerebral arteriovenous malformations

On the basis of 90 cerebral AVMs, the authors study clinical signs which show the AVM, before a dramatic bleeding. Such clinical signs are: benign subarachnoid hemorrhage or intracranial hypertension and, only for lobar AVMs, migraine, epileptic seizures, progressive neurological deficit. In such cases a misdiagnosis is avoided by CT Scan with contrast. In the second part, the authors show that the AVMs surgical removal gives better results than AVMs natural history studied over a 20 years period. Ten AVMs observed in deep coma died. Two surgical deaths are only observed out of 73 AVMs surgical removals. Out of 44 lobar AVMs totally removed, 37 show good results and seven disabilities. Out of 19 deep AVMs, 13 were totally removed and six partially. Such deep AVMs, especially AVMs of the corpus callosum or of lateral and third ventricles choroid plexus give excellent surgical results. The authors conclude that surgical removal is the safer treatment for the majority of AVMs (Acta neurol. belg., 1985, 85, 65-81).     

Surgical results in pediatric Spetzler-Martin grades I-III intracranial arteriovenous malformations.

OBJECTS: The goal of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) therapy in pediatric patients should be complete resection or obliteration of the AVM to eliminate subsequent hemorrhage, because of high mortality and morbidity rates related to hemorrhage in addition to the longer life expectation. Despite advances in Gamma knife radiosurgery and in endovascular embolization, surgical resection is still the gold standard for treating cerebral AVMs. METHODS: Between 1986 and 2003, 20 children were surgically treated for cerebral AVMs. The AVMs were graded I, II, and III using the Spetzler-Martin (S-M) Grading Scale. Good recovery was achieved in 18 out of 20 patients (90%) and only 1 patient was moderately disabled (5%). There was one mortality (5%) related to the preoperative deep comatose state of the patient. The total obliteration rate was 89% (17 out of 19). CONCLUSION: For S-M grade I-III AVMs, surgical resection is the treatment of choice, considering its high cure rate and low morbidity and mortality rates.     

脑AVM的治疗时机和方法的选择

目的 探讨脑AVM的治疗时机和方法的选择。方法 对63例脑AVM的治疗时机和方法进行分析。手术切除50例，除部分急诊手术外均在显微镜下完成；对重要功能区的脑AVM行血管内栓塞8例，3例术前栓塞，3例栓塞完全，2例栓塞不全行伽玛刀治疗；直接行γ-刀治疗2例。结果 44例全切，6例部分切除，均经病理检查证实为脑AVM。8例血管内栓塞治疗显示畸形血管3例消失、5例缩小50％以上；γ-刀治疗4例，见AVM血管影变淡、缩小，周围残留放射反应区。全组随访3个月-9年，效果良好41例，占65．1％；轻残13例，占20．6％；重残6例，占9．5％；术后死亡3例，占4．8％。结论 显微手术是脑AVM的主要治疗方法。血管内栓塞是主要而获显效的方法之一，对大型、复杂的AVM栓塞与手术结合是较佳方案。对小型、深部、功能区难以切除及不能接受手术或栓塞者γ-刀治疗更具有治疗适应证。     

脑动静脉畸形的血管内栓塞治疗研究

目的：探讨脑动静脉畸形的血管内栓塞治疗。方法：回顾性地分析１９５例ＡＶＭｓ患者的血管栓塞治疗过程。结果：血管内栓塞治疗１５９例,２９７次,治疗后临床症状消失,完全恢复正常生活、工作者３２例,占２０％,临床症状明显好转１２３例（占７７．４％）。结论：血管内栓塞治疗是一种脑ＡＶＭｓ首选并且有效的治疗方法,尤其终末型供血者。     

Endovascular therapy of brain AVMs prior to radiosurgery

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to determine the safety and efficacy of embolization ofbrain A VMs prior to radiosurgery and to evaluate the total obliteration rate achieved. The brain AVMs of 64 patients were subselectively embolized mainly with NBCAI platinum microcoils and/or PVA. The aim of embolization was the reduction of the target volume and/or the elimination of vascljlar structures bearing an increased risk of hemorrhage. Presenting symptoms were intracranial hemorrhage in 33 patientsl a seizure disorder in 21 patients, and headache in 6 patients. Four AVMs had been detected as an incidental finding. The initial AVM volume was in the range of 0.5 to 84 cc (mean 17 cc). Grading of the AVMs according to the Spetzler-Martin scale showed the following distribution: grade II 3x; III 13x; 1111 11 x; IVI 17x; V, 4x; VII 16 x. A total of 300 endovascular procedures including 47 subselective catheterizations without and 253 with embolization were performed. A size reduction of the A VMs between-l0% and 95% (mean 63%1 median 70%) was achieved. Neurological symptoms due to treatment complications were transient in 12 patientsl of minor clinical significance but permanent in 4 patients. Following radiosurgery, one patient died due to recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage. Three patients are doing well but refused final follow-up angiography. A total of30 patients is currently within the latency interval after radiosurgery. Radiosurgery failed to obliterate the embolized AVMs in 16 patients. Angiography confirmed complete nidus obliteration in 14 patients. The endovascular treatment of brain AVMs prior to radiosurgery proved safe and effective and may be considered in either high grade or incidental AVMs. AVM obliteration after embolization and radiosurgery is less frequently achieved than after stereotactic irradiation of primarily small AVMs. [Neural Res 1998; 20: 479-492]     

Clinical features and endovascular treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformations in pediatric patients

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to characterize clinical features and evaluate the clinical outcome of endovascular embolization treatment intracranial arteriovenous malformations in pediatric patients.

Methods

A cohort of children (age?≤?18 years) with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) from 2000 to 2012 was included. Predictors studied included patient gender, age, and angioarchitectural features, including AVM location, nidus morphology and size, venous drainage, and associated aneurysms. Treatment method, complications and outcomes were recorded. The features of AVMs were evaluated before the treatment.

Results

One hundred twenty-seven children (77 males, mean age 13.2 years) were included; 90/127 (70.9 %) children were presented with hemorrhage. AVM size and deep venous drainage were independently associated with hemorrhage; 66/127 patients (52 %) treated with endovascular embolization. Complete obliteration at the end of all endovascular procedures was achieved in 14/66 patients (21.2 %), with an average of 78 % (range, 20–100 %) volume reduction. A mean of 2.9 (range, 1–9) feeding pedicles was embolized per patient. Overall, nine complications occurred in a total of 123 procedures (7.3 %). There was no procedure-related death in this study population. There was no significant difference between patients with and without complications in terms of AVM grade, demographic characteristics, or embolization features.

Conclusions

AVM size and deep venous drainage were independently associated with hemorrhage in pediatric patients. Endovascular procedure is feasible and safe for pediatric AVMs, and complete embolization can be achieved in small AVMs, while large AVMs can be adequately reduced in size for additional microsurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery.     

Surgical results in pediatric Spetzler–Martin grades I–III intracranial arteriovenous malformations

Objects The goal of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) therapy in pediatric patients should be complete resection or obliteration of the AVM to eliminate subsequent hemorrhage, because of high mortality and morbidity rates related to hemorrhage in addition to the longer life expectation. Despite advances in Gamma knife radiosurgery and in endovascular embolization, surgical resection is still the gold standard for treating cerebral AVMs.Methods Between 1986 and 2003, 20 children were surgically treated for cerebral AVMs. The AVMs were graded I, II, and III using the Spetzler–Martin (S–M) Grading Scale. Good recovery was achieved in 18 out of 20 patients (90%) and only 1 patient was moderately disabled (5%). There was one mortality (5%) related to the preoperative deep comatose state of the patient. The total obliteration rate was 89% (17 out of 19).Conclusion For S–M grade I–III AVMs, surgical resection is the treatment of choice, considering its high cure rate and low morbidity and mortality rates.A commentary on this paper is available at     

胼胝体动静脉畸形

报告19例胼肥体动静脉畸形(AVM),20个病灶(1例多发)。其中,膝部3个,体部2个,压部15个。所有病人都有蛛网膜下腔出血,而以癫痫大发作为首发症状者仅1例。以胼周动脉为主要供血动脉,大脑后动脉分支亦参与供血。除1例行供血动脉结扎术外,其余19个AVM均采用显微外科手术完整切除,无死亡。     

胼胝体动静脉畸形

本文报告１９例胼胝体动静脉畸形（ＡＶＭ），２０个病灶（１例多发）。其中，膝部３个，体部２个，压部１５个，所有病人都有蛛网膜下腔出血，而以癫痫大发作为首症状者仅１例，以胼周动脉为主要供血动脉，大脑后动脉分支亦参与供血，除１例行供血动脉结扎术外，其余１９个ＡＶＭ均采用显微外科手术完整切除，无死亡，手术疗效满意。     

顶枕叶脑动静脉畸形致颅内出血治疗体会

目的 探讨顶枕交界部脑动静脉畸形(AVM)伴颅内出血的治疗方案.方法 采用栓塞或栓塞联合手术治疗顶枕叶AVM伴颅内出血患者 31 例,其中29例行单纯介入栓塞(93.5%),2例因栓塞后头颅CT证实再出血行急诊手术清除血肿并切除畸形血管(6.5%).结果 本组无死亡病例,术后遗留命名性失语2例,6例术前伴肢体偏瘫患者术...     

140例脑动静脉畸形血管内治疗随访

本文报告140例脑动静脉畸形（AVM)血管内栓塞治疗病人,随访4～42个月。良好:124例（88.6％）差:10例（7.1％),极差:6例（4.2％)。病变完全消失30例（21.4％)。术中血管痉挛16例,但无永久性神经功能障碍。栓塞后立即出血、水肿2例。血管内治疗能使微小型和小型AVM治愈,使中型和大型AVM体积缩小,血流速度减慢,为显微手术和放射外科提供条件。真丝线段和IBCA、NBCA是目前较理想的栓塞材料。     

Onyx胶栓塞治疗颅内复杂血管畸形

目的探讨Onyx胶在复杂脑动静脉畸形血管内治疗中的应用价值。方法采用Onyx胶栓塞11例复杂脑动静脉畸形,其中6例为巨大血管畸形,5例位于功能区。分析其血管构筑、栓塞技巧等。结果技术成功率100%,2例获90%栓塞,4例获80%以上栓塞,3例获50%~80%栓塞, 2例栓塞小于50%。结论超选择插管Onyx胶栓塞术治疗脑动静脉畸形安全、有效。     

Does hemorrhagic presentation in cerebral arteriovenous malformations affect obliteration rate after gamma knife radiosurgery?

OBJECTIVES: Radiosurgery has been widely adopted for the treatment of cerebral AVMs. However radiosurgical treatment of patients with hemorrhagic presentation is fraught with risk of rebleed during latency period. The present study intends to analyze the obliteration rate, time to obliteration and chances of rebleed in patients with hemorrhagic versus non-hemorrhagic clinical presentation in cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of all the patients with cerebral AVMs treated from May 1997 to Jun 2006, 157 patients with neuroimaging follow up with digital subtraction angiography harboring 160 AVM nidii formed the study group. The mean age of presentation was 28 years (range, 6-58 years); mean nidus volume being 3.64cm(3) (range, 0.011-36.6cm(3)). The mean follow up period was 70 months (range, 13-121 months). All the patients were treated predominantly by primary GKS with use of adjunctive pre-GKS embolization in selected patients. RESULTS: A total of 103 (64%) patients presented with hemorrhage. There was no difference in the obliteration rate (69% versus 67%, p=0.672), mean latency period to obliteration (30 months versus 32 months, p=0.1989) and chances of hemorrhage (4.8% versus 3.5%, p=0.690) in patients with hemorrhagic as compared to non-hemorrhagic presentation. CONCLUSION: Prior hemorrhage does not affect the outcome after GKS in terms of obliteration rate, latency to obliteration as well as chances of hemorrhage during latency period. Gamma knife appears equally efficacious irrespective of the mode of clinical presentation in the management of cerebral AVMs; a concomitant use of pre-GKS embolization/surgery may be needed in patients with hemorrhagic presentation in selected cases, however.     

Management of cerebral arteriovenous malformations associated with symptomatic congestive intracranial hypertension

We report on management strategies and clinical outcomes in 4 cases of acute symptomatic congestive intracranial hypertension associated with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Congestion resulted from high-volume shunts exhausting the drainage capacity of the cerebral venous system in 3 patients, and from sudden venous outflow obstruction in 1 patient. Two AVMs were suggested to be surgically accessible, whereas two AVMs were deemed to be inoperable. Surgically accessible AVMs were treated with embolization followed by complete surgical resection. Inoperable AVMs were treated with partial embolization. Both AVM embolization followed by surgical resection and partial AVM embolization effectively reduced intracranial pressure and achieved sustained patient recovery. Hence, an endovascular approach may be considered to manage AVM-related congestive intracranial hypertension either in combination with surgical AVM removal, or as a palliative approach in inoperable AVMs.     

基底节区小型动静脉畸形出血的手术治疗

目的探讨基底节区小型动静脉畸形出血并脑内血肿病人的手术治疗问题。方法 32例CT示基底节区脑出血患者术中均行血肿清除和血管畸形切除。结果术后对切除的可疑畸形血管行病理切片检查,均证实为脑动静脉畸形。术后MRI及MRA检查均未见脑血管畸形。术后3个月随访ADL分级,Ⅰ级完全恢复日常生活7例;Ⅱ级部分恢复或可独立生活17例;Ⅲ级需他人帮助,扶拐可行8例;无卧床,植物生存病人;无术后再出血患者。结论基底节区小型动静脉畸形出血并脑内血肿病人行血肿清除和畸形血管切除可减少再出血发生,取得了较好预后。     

Long-term results of cerebral arteriovenous malformations--surgical and conservative treatment

During the past 20 years, we have treated 187 cases with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). These 134 patients were treated surgically and the remaining 53 patients were managed non-surgically. The purpose of this study is to clarify the surgical indications of AVMs, based on a comparison of the long-term follow-up results between the surgical and nonsurgical groups. Consequently, good results were obtained in the surgical group: the operative mortality was 7.5% and the morbidity was 12.7%. The long-term follow-up results were as follows: Of the 124 followed cases in the surgical group, there were 16 cases with improvement of neurological deficits (13%) and 3 cases with neurological aggravation (2%). Of the 47 followed cases in the nonsurgical group, there were 5 cases with improvement of neurological deficits (11%) and 6 cases with neurological aggravation (13%). As for the incidence of AVM hemorrhage, there were 8 cases with hemorrhage in the nonsurgical group including 4 cases (3 rebleeding cases) which were fatal (11%), in contrast to one case (subtotal resection) in the surgical group. On follow-up angiography, the size of AVMs were unchanged in the majority of cases in the nonsurgical group, with the exception of 2 cases in which there were slight regressions. In the surgical group, on the other hand, enlargement in 2 cases and spontaneous regression in 3 of residual AVM occurred following incomplete resection. Particularly in 2 cases involving unresectable AVMs, a newly formed aneurysm was discovered in the follow-up angiography, emphasizing the fact that serious follow-up angiography is required in cases of untreated AVMs.     

脑血管畸形急性出血并脑内血肿的手术治疗

目的 探讨脑动静脉畸形(AVM) 出血并颅内血肿形成的急诊手术问题.方法 37例CT示颅内血肿,怀疑AVM 出血,32例急诊手术前经MRA检查提示脑AVM21例,其中29例行血肿清除加AVM显微切除术,8例行单纯血肿清除术,10例行去骨瓣减压术.结果 死亡4例,存活33例中恢复优良21例,良7例,差5例. 29例术后复查DSA或MRA,20例AVM消失.结论 急诊显微外科手术治疗是AVM破裂出血首选治疗方法,能够提高脑AVM破裂出血的治愈率,降低致残率.MRA适合急诊术前检查,可快捷、安全显示AVM及主要供血动脉,指导制定手术方案.     

分次栓塞治疗大型颅内动静脉畸形的疗效分析

目的 评价分次栓塞治疗大型颅内动静脉畸形(AVM)的疗效.方法 23例大型(直径≥6 cm)颅内AVM患者,分次行AVM栓塞术,8例栓塞后行γ-刀治疗,术后随访1-2年,评估治疗效果.结果 14例达到完全栓塞,治疗过程中再次出血3例,脑梗死4例.影像学治愈19例;20例GOS评分较术前无下降,2例GOS评分较术前下降,1例死亡.结论 分次栓塞治疗大型颅内AVM可取得良好的影像学和临床疗效.立体定向放射治疗是较好的辅助治疗手段.     

The endovascular treatment of arteriovenous malformations

Embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is a useful therapeutic modality. The primary purpose of treatment is to obliterate the AVM to prevent future hemorrhage. A small proportion of cerebral AVMs might be obliterated angiographically, but angiographic obliteration does not necessarily equate with cure, and follow-up evaluation of these cases is mandatory. The primary role of embolization is as an adjunct to surgical excision or radiosurgery. Palliative embolization of cerebral AVMs that are disabling on the basis of medically intractable seizures and/or progressive neurological deficits might be indicated, but considerable clinical judgment is required to select cases that can benefit from this palliative intervention. The history, indications, techniques, embolic agents, risks and complications are reviewed. Several illustrative cases are presented.     

The microsurgical treatment of the supratentorial arteriovenous malformations. Part I--early and late results

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was an analysis of early and late results of the microsurgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVM) located supratentorially and factors that may influence the outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 88 consecutive patients operated on in the years 1983-2000 for supratentorial AVM located were included in a retrospective analysis. All patients underwent microsurgical selective removal of AVM without prior embolization. The outcome was assessed on the day of discharge according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) and at least 6 months after surgery according to the Karnofsky Scale (KS). RESULTS: A satisfactory outcome (GR+MD in GOS) was achieved in 92%. A severe deficit appeared in 4.5% and 3 (3.4%) patients died. The only factor influencing satisfactory outcome was low grade of AVM (I-II) in the Spetzler-Martin scale (p<0.0001). Factors influencing the excellent outcome (GR in GOS) are: size of AVM<3 cm (p=0.02), non-eloquent location (p=0.001) and exclusively superficial venous drainage (p=0.04). There was no case of deterioration in the late period. In 3/4 of patients discharged with deficit, a significant improvement was observed: a mild deficit withdrew in 13 of 17, and a severe deficit withdrew in 3 of 4. A satisfactory outcome in final assessment (KS>70%) was achieved in 95.5%, severe disabling deficit (KS 50%) remained in 1.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the surgical treatment of AVM are satisfactory, especially in I and II grade of the Spetzler-Martin scale. In these cases microsurgical removal should be the method of choice, because immediately after treatment the risk of further hemorrhage is eliminated. Postoperative deficits withdraw during weeks or months in most cases and the final satisfactory result was achieved in 95% of patients.