Endovascular Embolization for 11 Patients with Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

Objective To find out the safety and effect of endovascular embolization treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations(AVM).Methods From July 1997 to May 2002,11 patients were treated by endovascular embolization,embolic material was NBCA,3 patients underwent surgery,and 3 received γ-knife therapy after embolization.Results After endovascular embolization,one case of the group was anatomically cured,5 cases showed 70%～90% shrinkage of the malformations in size,3 cases with 50%～70% shrinkage,2 cases less than 50% shrinkage.Five cases of the group were totally recovered to normal life,4 cases with marked improvement of symptoms and signs,2 cases with no remarkable improvement of signs.Conclusions endovascular embolization is a safe and effective method for treating AVMs,a few AVMs can be cured by endovascular embolization.In regard to some large AVMs or situated at important functional areas,endovascular embolization combined surgery or γ-knife is a effective method for AVMs with a high cure rate and a low morbidity and mortality.