A clinical study of the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations with endovascular embolization

Objective To discuss the role of endovascular embolization in the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations(cAVM).Methods Twenty consecutive patients with AVM were treated with endovascular embolization under the guidance of digital subtractive angiography(DSA).Results After the embolization,angiography showed that more than 90% complete obliteration was achieved in 6 cases,60%~70% in 10 cases,and approximately 50% in 4 cases.Among 14 cases of uncomplete embolization,4 underwent surgical removal including 3 cases with good outcome and 1 case of hemiplegia with muscular strength of degree Ⅲ.The remaining 6 cases underwent stereotactic radiotherapy,where 2 had good outcome and 4 produced shrink sign of the nidus.Conclusion Endovascular embolization is an effective and relatively safe treatment for cAVM.Even if it can not offer a complete obliteration in some cases,endovascular embolization can decrease the feeding blood to the nidus,which facilitates the operation.