Synchronous cerebral arteriovenous malformation and lung adenocarcinoma carcinoma brain metastases: A case study and literature review

Introduction

While there are numerous published cases of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) developing in the setting of malignancy, it is extremely rare to find them concurrently associated in the brain.

Clinical case

This is the case of a 55-year-old male who presented to the emergency department complaining of headaches, memory and visual changes. Neuro-imaging revealed a right temporal parietal AVM and an adjoining hyperenhancing occipitotemporal lobe lesion with concern for a possible evolving stroke. The patient was treated with radiosurgery for the AVM. His symptoms progressed one month later, and repeat imaging suggested interval enlargement of the previously presumed stroke that was intricately associated with the AVM, in addition to two new small enhancing lesions of the left temporal lobe. Microsurgical resection of the temporal lobe mass revealed adenocarcinoma of the lung.

Conclusion

This case represents a previously undocumented confluence of cranial AVM that initially masked a non-small cell lung cancer brain metastasis.