Hemodynamics Associated With Intracerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: The Effects of Treatment Modalities

Neurosurgery ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 611-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vernard S Fennell ◽  
Nikolay L Martirosyan ◽  
Gursant S Atwal ◽  
M Yashar S Kalani ◽  
Francisco A Ponce ◽  
...  

Abstract The understanding of the physiology of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) continues to expand. Knowledge of the hemodynamics of blood flow associated with AVMs is also progressing as imaging and treatment modalities advance. The authors present a comprehensive literature review that reveals the physical hemodynamics of AVMs, and the effect that various treatment modalities have on AVM hemodynamics and the surrounding cortex and vasculature. The authors discuss feeding arteries, flow through the nidus, venous outflow, and the relative effects of radiosurgical monotherapy, endovascular embolization alone, and combined microsurgical treatments. The hemodynamics associated with intracranial AVMs is complex and likely changes over time with changes in the physical morphology and angioarchitecture of the lesions. Hemodynamic change may be even more of a factor as it pertains to the vast array of single and multimodal treatment options available. An understanding of AVM hemodynamics associated with differing treatment modalities can affect treatment strategies and should be considered for optimal clinical outcomes.

2020 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-016223
Author(s):  
Alfred P See ◽  
Mahmoud H Mohammaden ◽  
Mark Rizko ◽  
Christopher J Stapleton ◽  
Sepideh Amin-Hanjani ◽  
...  

BackgroundEndovascular embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) with liquid n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) serves multiple purposes including AVM occlusion and flow reduction in preparation for other treatment modalities. The objective was to study the clinical, structural, and angiographic factors affecting complications associated with AVM treatment by sequential n-BCA embolizations for nidal occlusion versus quantitative flow reduction in preparation for surgical resection or radiosurgery.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent endovascular embolization of cerebral AVM at our institution between 1998 and 2019, during which time the technique of traditional embolization evolved to a strategy of targeted sequential flow reduction guided by serial flow imaging based on quantitative magnetic resonance angiography, in conjunction with a shift away from nidal penetration.ResultsAmong 251 patients, 47.8% of patients presented with ruptured AVM. On average, each patient underwent 2.4 embolizations, for a total of 613 sessions. Major morbidity related to embolization occurred in 18 (7.2%) patients, but this occurred disproportionately in the traditional embolization strategy (n=16, 8%) in contrast with the flow-targeting strategy (n=2, 3.8%). Four patients (1.6%) died in the overall group, and these all occurred with the traditional embolization strategy (2% of 199 patients); no deaths occurred in the flow-targeting strategy (n=52).ConclusionEmbolization with n-BCA targeted to sequential flow reduction and feeder occlusion with limited nidal penetration prior to definitive surgical or radiosurgical treatment can be safely performed with low overall morbidity and mortality.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mpotsaris ◽  
C. Loehr ◽  
A. Harati ◽  
F. Lohmann ◽  
M. Puchner ◽  
...  

Posterior fossa arteriovenous malformations are rare entities and treatment modalities technically challenging. In recent years new therapeutic options have emerged through microsurgical and endovascular means. Based on a series of six cases we describe combined interdisciplinary treatment strategies and report the outcome in a midterm follow-up interval of 12 months. Clinical case data were collected during acute phase and follow-up including standardized angiographic control intervals during follow-up and assessment of the outcome. Treatment options included endovascular techniques as well as microsurgical techniques. All reported cases had SAH based on ruptured flow-related aneurysms in posterior fossa AVM; three out of six had multiple aneurysms. In one case we observed a de novo formation of two flow-associated distal aneurysms in an interval of ten years. Two patients were treated only endovascularly, one patient only surgically and three patients with combined methods. Five out of six patients had a good outcome (GOS 4 or 5). One died in the acute phase. Infratentorial AVMs are rare but characterized by a high risk of rupture and SAH, especially in conjunction with flow related aneurysms, which are predictors of poor outcome. The anatomic conditions of the posterior fossa may lead quickly to life-threatening complications due to mass effects. The present study indicates that treatment strategies in the acute phase should focus on flow-related aneurysms, followed by an elective AVM embolization and ectomy whenever possible. An experienced interdisciplinary team and the combination of techniques contribute to a reduction of complications and to a better outcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2803
Author(s):  
Carolin Czauderna ◽  
Martha M. Kirstein ◽  
Hauke C. Tews ◽  
Arndt Vogel ◽  
Jens U. Marquardt

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are the second-most common primary liver cancers. CCAs represent a group of highly heterogeneous tumors classified based on anatomical localization into intra- (iCCA) and extrahepatic CCA (eCCA). In contrast to eCCA, the incidence of iCCA is increasing worldwide. Curative treatment strategies for all CCAs involve oncological resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in early stages, whereas chemotherapy is administered at advanced stages of disease. Due to late diagnosis, high recurrence rates, and limited treatment options, the prognosis of patients remains poor. Comprehensive molecular characterization has further revealed considerable heterogeneity and distinct prognostic and therapeutic traits for iCCA and eCCA, indicating that specific treatment modalities are required for different subclasses. Several druggable alterations and oncogenic drivers such as fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene fusions and hotspot mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 mutations have been identified. Specific inhibitors have demonstrated striking antitumor activity in affected subgroups of patients in phase II and III clinical trials. Thus, improved understanding of the molecular complexity has paved the way for precision oncological approaches. Here, we outline current advances in targeted treatments and immunotherapeutic approaches. In addition, we delineate future perspectives for different molecular subclasses that will improve the clinical care of iCCA patients.


2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. E9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Achal S. Achrol ◽  
Raphael Guzman ◽  
Monika Varga ◽  
John R. Adler ◽  
Gary K. Steinberg ◽  
...  

Brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) are an important cause of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in young adults. Biological predictors of future ICH risk are lacking, and controversy exists over previous studies of natural history risk among predominantly ruptured BAVM cohorts. Recent studies have suggested that the majority of BAVMs are now diagnosed as unruptured lesions, and that the risk according to natural history among these lesions may be less than previously assumed. In the first part of this review, the authors discuss available data on the natural history of BAVMs and highlight the need for future studies that aim to develop surrogate biomarkers of disease progression that accurately predict future risk of ICH in BAVMs. The etiology of BAVM remains unknown. Recent studies have suggested a role for genetic factors in the pathogenesis of sporadic BAVM, which is further supported by reports of familial occurrence of BAVM and association with known systemic genetic disorders (such as Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, Sturge-Weber disease, and Wyburn-Mason syndrome). Molecular characterization of BAVM tissue demonstrates a highly angiogenic milieu with evidence of increased endothelial cell turnover. Taken together with a number of reports of de novo BAVM formation, radiographic growth after initial BAVM diagnosis, and regrowth after successful treatment of BAVM, these findings challenge the long-held assumption that BAVMs are static lesions of congenital origin. In the second part of this review, the authors discuss available data on the origins of BAVM and offer insights into future investigations into genetics and endothelial progenitor cell involvement in the pathogenesis of BAVM. Current treatment options for BAVM focus on removal or obliteration of the lesion in an attempt to protect against future ICH risk, including microsurgical resection, endovascular embolization, and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). In the third part of this review, the authors discuss available data on SRS in BAVMs and highlight the need for future studies on the radiobiology of BAVMs, especially in regard to biomarker detection for tracking SRS response during the latency period. Insights from future investigations in BAVM may not only prove important for the development of novel therapies and relevant biomarkers for BAVM, but could also potentially benefit a variety of other disorders involving new vessel formation in the CNS, including stroke, tumors, moyamoya disease, and other cerebrovascular malformations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. E44-E44
Author(s):  
M Neil Woodall ◽  
Robert F Spetzler

Abstract Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) involving the conus medullaris have a unique angioarchitecture due to their involvement of the arterial basket of the conus medullaris, which represents an arterial anastomotic network between the anterior spinal artery (ASA) and posterior spinal arteries (PSAs) at the level of the conus medullaris.1 These lesions consist of a combination of a true AVM nidus, which is usually extramedullary, and direct shunts between the ASA, PSAs, and the venous system. Patients may present with radiculopathy, myelopathy, or subarachnoid hemorrhage.2 A 40-yr-old woman status post T11-L1 laminoplasty for resection of a ruptured conus AVM 6 yr prior presented with routine follow-up angiography suggestive of an arteriovenous fistula. She was counseled regarding treatment options including endovascular embolization and microsurgical ligation or resection, and she elected to proceed with surgical treatment. At the time of surgery, a recurrent AVM was noted. A 2-dimensional intraoperative video illustrates the microsurgical treatment of her recurrent conus AVM. The patient recovered well postoperatively. Spinal angiography demonstrated complete obliteration of the lesion. The patient experienced transient urinary retention that was self-limited but otherwise was without any new neurological deficit. Due to the retrospective nature of this report, informed consent was not required. Video used with permission from Barrow Neurological Institute, all rights reserved.


2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 497-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hengwei Jin ◽  
Zhan Liu ◽  
Qing Chang ◽  
Chang Chen ◽  
Huijian Ge ◽  
...  

Objective Brainstem arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare lesions with a high risk of intracranial hemorrhage and are challenging to treat. We present our experience of endovascular embolization with Onyx in these aggressive lesions. Materials and methods Between 2007 and 2016, 13 patients with brainstem AVMs were embolized with Onyx at our center. Twelve patients presented with intracranial hemorrhage and one with headache. Retrospective examinations of patient demographics, clinical presentation, angiographic features, treatment modalities, postoperative complications and outcomes were carried out. Results The AVMs were in the midbrain in 10 patients (one anterior and nine posterior or dorsal), in the posterior pons in two and pontomedullary in one. Complete occlusion was achieved in three patients. Gamma knife radiosurgery was performed in six patients who were near-completely or partially embolized. Postoperative complications, including five cases of ischemia and one case of hemorrhage, resulted in four cases of neurological deterioration and two deaths. Clinical follow-up was obtained in 10 patients at a mean period of 45.2 months (range 3 to 93 months). During the follow-up, good clinical outcomes were observed in seven patients with posterior or dorsal midbrain AVMs, and one patient with a posterior pons AVM that was partially occluded died of intracranial hemorrhage. Conclusion Endovascular embolization for brainstem AVM with Onyx is a technical challenge and the reflux of Onyx may cause severe complications. Individualized treatment is needed based on the specific subtype of brainstem AVM.


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