LINAC radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations: A single centre prospective analysis and review of the literature

Abstract A peculiar nonneoplastic oligodendroglial proliferative abnormality associated with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) was present in three patients. Histological examination of biopsy material revealed dense oligodendroglial tissue reminiscent of oligodendroglioma in the white matter adjoining the AVMs. Careful consideration of clinical and pathological features suggested that the evidence was insufficient to qualify the lesion as truly neoplastic (oligodendroglioma); rather, a tissue collapse or a hamartomatous proliferation could be considered to be its cause. The literature contains 14 instances of various vascular malformations associated with primary brain tumors, 5 of which were diagnosed as oligodendrogliomas. It is possible, however, that some of the cases reported in the literature constitute oligodendroglial abnormality similar to that observed in our cases rather than genuine oligodendrogliomas. Attention is drawn to this interesting and prognostically important phenomenon.

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Gamma Knife for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations at a Single Centre

Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques ◽

10.1017/s0317167100012427 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 851-857 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

F. A. Zeiler ◽

P. J. McDonald ◽

A. Kaufmann ◽

D. Fewer ◽

J. Butler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gamma Knife ◽

Arteriovenous Malformations ◽

Consecutive Series ◽

Average Dose ◽

Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations ◽

Single Centre ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Persistent Headache ◽

Lost To Follow Up

Background:We report the results of a consecutive series of patients treated with Gamma Knife (GK) Surgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).Methods:We retrospectively reviewed 69 patients treated with GK for cerebral AVMs between November 2003 and April 2009, recording clinical data, treatment parameters, and AVM obliteration rates in order to assess our effectiveness with GK in treating these lesions.Results:Ten patients were lost to follow-up. Presentations included: seizure (24), hemorrhage (18), persistent headache (12), progressing neurological signs (10), and incidental (9). In 24 patients (34.8%) treatment planning consisted of digital subtraction angiography (DSA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomogram (CT) angiography (CTA). Currently we rely predominantly on CTA and/or MRI scanning only. Fourty-one patients have been followed for a minimum of 3 years; average age 40.9yr., 58.5% males. Average dose at the 50% isodose line was 20.3 Gy (range 16 to 26.4 Gy). Obliteration was observed in 87.8% by MRI, CT, or DSA. Not all obliteration was confirmed by DSA. Complications occurred in 12 of 59 (20.3%) patients, and in 11 of 41 (26.8%) with 3 year follow-up. Major (temporary) complications for the 59 included symptomatic cerebral edema (7), seizure (2), and hemorrhage (1). Major permanent complications occurred in one patient suffering a cranial nerve V deafferentation, and in two patients suffering a hemorrhage.Conclusion:GKS for cerebral AVM's offers an effective and safe method of treatment, with low permanent complication rate.

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