Microsurgical removal of arteriovenous malformations of the basal ganglia

Arteriovenous malformations in the basal ganglia region have been a problem in neurosurgical practice. We report six cases of deep-seated malformations fed mainly by the perforating branches of the middle cerebral artery. There were no deaths in the series. Four patients returned to their previous activities, and the other two patients had persistent hemiparesis and dysphasia, present preoperatively, with worsening in one case. Both of these patients improved and are independent. We show the feasibility of satisfactory microsurgical treatment of these lesions based on the knowledge of microanatomical studies.