Pediatric intracranial arteriovenous shunts: a global overview

Introduction

Cerebral arteriovenous shunts (CAVS) in the pediatric population cannot be compared to those in adults as they present different anatomical, physiological, and pathological characteristics concerning the arterial and venous vasculature and the cerebrospinal fluid physiology. These lesions develop in a maturing brain, of which expression is difficult to assess, with a potential for recovery different from that in adults.

Discussion

Their impact on the brain will be different in the antenatal period, in neonates, in infants, and in children, with variable symptoms according to each age group. We review different classifications of pediatric CAVS (according to the anatomical space in which they develop, their type and architecture, and the age at which they reveal), describe their evolution, and discuss the current role of endovascular treatment in the management of these vascular lesions.