Microsurgery for Small Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain: Results in 110 Consecutive Patients

Neurosurgery ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 571-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin H. T. Pik ◽  
Michael K. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Postoperative Outcome ◽  
Neurological Status ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Results Of Surgery

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To examine the results of surgery in 110 consecutive patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) smaller than 3 cm in diameter. These results are compared with the published results of other microsurgical series as well as with results for patients treated with focused irradiation. METHODS From January 1989 to November 1998, 121 patients with AVMs smaller than 3 cm were treated at our institution. One hundred ten patients underwent microsurgical removal of their AVMs. The presentation, preoperative neurological status, and postoperative outcome were recorded. Follow-up was complete for all surgical cases. RESULTS Of the 110 patients, 109 (99%) had angiographically confirmed obliteration of their AVMs. Two patients (1.8%) required reoperation for residual AVM. Two (4.3%) of 46 patients with AVMs in eloquent brain areas experienced worsening of their neurological status after surgery. One (1.6%) of 64 patients was worse neurologically after removal of an AVM in a noneloquent area. CONCLUSION Microsurgical removal is a safe and effective treatment for the majority of AVMs smaller than 3 cm in diameter. Although the treatment is accompanied by a risk of acute onset of neurological deficits, this tends to be transient in the majority of cases. Furthermore, microsurgical excision of small AVMs offers patients immediate protection from the natural history of their vascular lesions.

scholarly journals Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for large or involving critical organs cerebral arteriovenous malformations

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sławomir Blamek ◽  
Dawid Larysz ◽  
Leszek Miszczyk ◽  
Adam Idasiak ◽  
Adam Rudnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stereotactic Radiotherapy ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy ◽  
Obliteration Rate ◽  
Observation Volume ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background. The treatment of large arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) or AVMs involving eloquent regions of the brain remains a challenge. For inoperable lesions, observation, volume-staged radiosurgery or hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HFSRT) are proposed. The aim of our study was to assess the safety and efficiency of HFSRT for large AVMs located in eloquent areas of the brain. Materials and methods. An analysis of records of 49 patients irradiated for cerebral AVMs with a mean dose of 19.9 Gy (12-28 Gy) delivered in 2-4 fractions with planned gap (at least one week) between fractions. Actuarial obliteration rates and annual bleeding hazard were calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and life tables. Results. Annual bleeding hazard rates were 4.5% and 1.6% after one and two years of the follow-up, respectively. Actuarial total obliteration rates were 7%, 11%, and 21% and total response rate (total and partial obliterations) 22%, 41%, and 55% after one, two and three years of the follow-up, respectively. There was a trend towards larger total obliteration rate in patients irradiated with fraction dose ≥ 8 Gy and total dose > 21 Gy for lesions of volume ≤ 8.18 cm3 which was not observed in case of partial obliterations. Conclusions. HFSRT results with relatively low obliteration rate but is not associated with a significant risk of permanent neurological deficits if both total and fraction doses are adjusted to size and location of the lesion. Predictive factors for total and partial obliterations can be different; this observation, however, is not firmly supported and requires further studies.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery of Angiographically Occult Vascular Malformations: Indications and Preliminary Experience

Neurosurgery ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 892-900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
L. Dade Lunsford ◽  
Robert J. Coffey ◽  
David J. Bissonette ◽  
John C. Flickinger
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
University Of Pittsburgh ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Stereotactic radiosurgery has been shown to treat successfully angiographically demonstrated arteriovenous malformations of the brain. Angiographic obliteration has represented cure and eliminated the risk of future hemorrhage. The role of radiosurgery in the treatment of angiographically occult vascular malformations (AOVMs) has been less well defined. In the initial 32 months of operation of the 201-source cobalt-60 gamma knife at the University of Pittsburgh, 24 patients meeting strict criteria for high-risk AOVMs were treated. Radiosurgery was used conservatively; each patient had sustained two or more hemorrhages and had a magnetic resonance imaging-defined AOVM located in a region of the brain where microsurgical removal was judged to pose an excessive risk. Venous angiomas were excluded by performance of high-resolution subtraction angiography in each patient. Fifteen malformations were in the medulla, pons, and/or mesencephalon, and 5 were located in the thalamus or basal ganglia. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 24 months. Nineteen patients either improved or remained clinically stable and did not hemorrhage again during the follow-up interval. One patient suffered another hemorrhage 7 months after radiosurgery. Five patients experienced temporary worsening of pre-existing neurological deficits that suggested delayed radiation injury. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated signal changes and edema surrounding the radiosurgical target. Dose-volume guidelines for avoiding complications were constructed. Our initial experience indicates that stereotactic radiosurgery can be performed safely in patients with small, well-circumscribed AOVMs located in deep, critical, or relatively inaccessible cerebral locations. Because cerebral angiography is not useful in following patients with AOVMs, long-term magnetic resonance imaging and clinical studies will be necessary to determine whether the natural history of such lesions is changed by radiosurgery.

Notfallmäßige Carotis Endarterektomie im Stadium progredienter neurologischer Defizite

VASA ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Brandl ◽  
R.B. Brauer ◽  
P.C. Maurer
Keyword(s):  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Symptomatic Carotid ◽  
Urgent Surgery ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Elective Treatment ◽  
Carotid Stenoses ◽  
History Of

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is well established as the elective treatment for moderate or severe carotid stenoses with a history of neurologic symptoms. In contrast, the merits of carotid revascularisation performed in emergency in patients with acute stroke or fluctuating neurological deficit remain controversial. Patients and methods: A total of 445 CEAs were performed on 424 patients for 212 (48%) asymptomatic and 233 (52%) symptomatic carotid stenoses within a 5 years period between January, 1995, and December, 1999. Of the latter, CEA was performed in emergency on 16 patients (3.8%) within 4 to 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Patients selected for urgent surgery fulfilled the following criteria: acute onset of fluctuating hemispheric neurological symptoms, significant carotid pathology, absence of cerebral hemorrhage, uncompromised vigilance and stable cardiopulmonary conditions. Selected patients presented with a crescendo-TIA (n = 7) or fluctuating neurological deficits (n = 9) corresponding to a contralateral carotid stenosis. Results: Following CEA, the neurological deficits improved instantaneously to complete recovery in 9 patients. The symptoms of 4 patients improved to non-disabling deficits, remained unchanged in one and worsened in 2 patients from hemihypaesthesia to hemiparesis. 14/16 patients were discharged within 8 days after admission. The neurologic status after discharge did not deteriorate in any of the patients during follow up of 19.3 ± 13 months, but improved in 4 of the patients. Conclusion: Our retrospective study suggests that rescue CEA may be beneficial for selected patients with stroke in evolution and fluctuating neurological deficits. Careful adherence to selection criteria, intraoperative shunting, intensive care post surgery surveillance and an experienced team are recommended.

A case report of a transient splenial lesion related to HaNDL syndrome

Cephalalgia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1119-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruaridh Cameron Smail ◽  
Jonathan Baird-Gunning ◽  
James Drummond ◽  
Karl Ng
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Callosum ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Spreading Depression ◽  
Glutamate Excitotoxicity ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Splenial Lesion ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Prompt Diagnosis

Background Transient lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum have been identified in many clinical cases, and often correspond to a metabolic insult to the brain. The syndrome of transient headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis (HaNDL syndrome) is a rare but under-recognised headache syndrome. Case A 47-year-old man presented to our hospital with a 2-week history of intermittent headache, and acute right sided hemisensory deficit. A CSF lymphocytosis was found and a diagnosis of HaNDL was made. A lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum was identified on MRI. CSF lymphocytosis and the splenial lesion resolved on follow up 4 weeks later. Conclusion These two entities are uncommon but increasingly recognised. The co-incidence in this patient raises the possibility of similar underlying pathological mechanisms, including vasomotor changes in blood vessels, cortical spreading depression and glutamate excitotoxicity leading to intra-myelinic oedema. Awareness of these entities will allow prompt diagnosis, preventing unnecessary tests and treatment, and allow appropriate patient management.

scholarly journals Neurological outcomes of untreated brainstem cavernous malformations in a prospective observational cohort and literature review

2021 ◽  
pp. svn-2020-000608
Author(s):  
Da Li ◽  
Jing-Jie Zheng ◽  
Jian-Cong Weng ◽  
Pan-Pan Liu ◽  
Ze-Yu Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Status ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Developmental Venous Anomaly ◽  
Cavernous Malformations ◽  
Neurological Outcomes ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
Lost To Follow Up

BackgroundHaemorrhages of brainstem cavernous malformations (CMs) can lead to neurological deficits, the natural history of which is uncertain. The study aimed to evaluate the neurological outcomes of untreated brainstem CMs and to identify the adverse factors associated with worsened outcomes.MethodsFrom 2009 to 2015, 698 patients (321 women) with brainstem CMs were entered into the prospective cohort after excluding patients lost to follow-up (n=43). All patients were registered, clinical data were collected and scheduled follow-up was performed.ResultsAfter a median follow-up of 60.9 months, prospective haemorrhages occurred in 167 patients (23.9%). The mean modified Rankin Scale scores at enrolment and at censoring time were 1.6 and 1.2. Neurological status was improved, unchanged and worsened in 334 (47.9%), 293 (42.0%) and 71 (10.2%) patients, respectively; 233 (33.4%) recovered to normal levels. Lesions crossing the axial midpoint (relative risk (RR) 2.325, p=0.003) and developmental venous anomaly (DVA) (RR 1.776, p=0.036) were independently significantly related to worsened outcomes. The percentage of worsened outcomes was 5.3% (18 of 337) in low-risk patients (neither DVA nor crossing the axial point) and increased to 26.0% (13 of 50) in high-risk patients (with both DVA and crossing the axial point). The percentage of worsened outcomes significantly increased as the number of prospective haemorrhages increased (from 1.5% (8 of 531, if 0 prospective ictus) to 37.5% (48 of 128, if 1 ictus) and 38.5% (15 of 39, if >1 ictus)).ConclusionsThe neurological outcomes of untreated brainstem CMs were improved/unchanged in majority of patients (89.8%) with a fatality rate of 1.7% in our cohort, which seemed to be favourable. Radiological features significantly predicted worsened outcomes. Our results provide evidence for clinical consultation and individualised treatment. The referral bias of our cohort was underlined.

The natural history of symptomatic arteriovenous malformations of the brain: a 24-year follow-up assessment

1990 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen L. Ondra ◽  
Henry Troupp ◽  
Eugene D. George ◽  
Karen Schwab
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Original Population ◽  
Major Morbidity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors have updated a series of 166 prospectively followed unoperated symptomatic patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) of the brain. Follow-up data were obtained for 160 (96%) of the original population, with a mean follow-up period of 23.7 years. The rate of major rebleeding was 4.0% per year, and the mortality rate was 1.0% per year. At follow-up review, 23% of the series were dead from AVM hemorrhage. The combined rate of major morbidity and mortality was 2.7% per year. These annual rates remained essentially constant over the entire period of the study. There was no difference in the incidence of rebleeding or death regardless of presentation with or without evidence of hemorrhage. The mean interval between initial presentation and subsequent hemorrhage was 7.7 years.

Surgical Excision of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations: Late Results

Neurosurgery ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto C. Heros ◽  
Kazuyoshi Korosue ◽  
Paula M. Diebold
Keyword(s):  
Arteriovenous Malformation ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Surgical Excision ◽  
Late Results ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Clinical Event ◽  
Complete Excision ◽  
Late Morbidity ◽  
History Of

Abstract A follow-up study of 153 consecutive patients who underwent complete excision of an angiographically visualized intracerebral arteriovenous malformation was conducted. The follow-up period ranged from 0.5 to 10.6 years, with a mean of 3.8 years. The presenting clinical event was hemorrhage in about one-half of the patients and seizure in about one-third. There was a marked tendency for postoperative neurological deficits to improve with time, so that whereas the immediate postoperative rate of serious morbidity was 24.2%, only 7.8% of the patients were found to have serious morbidity at follow-up. An additional 3 patients had died. one of an unrelated carcinoma, making the mortality related to arteriovenous malformation 1.3%. The classification of Spetzler and Martin (43) was used retrospectively; the percentages of Grade I (easiest) through Grade V (most difficult) lesions were 7.8%, 22.9%, 28.8%, 26.8%, and 13.8%, respectively. The early result was well correlated to grade, with good or excellent results in 100%, 94.3%, 88.6%, 61%, and 28.6% of the patients in Grades I through V, respectively. At follow-up, 98.7% of the patients with arteriovenous malformations of Grades I, II, and III were in good or excellent condition. The late morbidity and mortality rates for the patients in Grades IV and V were 12.2% and 38.4%, respectively. Of the patients who did not have seizures before surgery, 8.2% had only one or two seizures during the immediate postoperative period, and 7.1% had late seizures that were well controlled with medication in all. Of the patients who had seizures before surgery, over half were either cured or greatly improved with respect to the seizures. In 32.7% there was no change in the frequency of the seizures, and in 12.7% the seizures were more frequent after surgery. There was no history of either proven or suspected intracranial hemorrhage in any of the patients during the entire follow-up period, which in the aggregate totalled 556.3 years.

scholarly journals Cerebral proliferative angiopathy: a review / Angiopatia proliferativa cerebral: uma revisão

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
André Freitas Nunes ◽  
Rafael Gomes dos Santos ◽  
Rodrigo Salmeron de Toledo Aguiar ◽  
José Carlos Esteves Veiga ◽  
Heitor Castelo Branco Rodrigues Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Brain Diseases ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Vascular Lesions ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Invasive Treatment ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Rare Type

AbstractIntroduction: Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) are vascular lesions defined by arteriovenous shunting flowing through a nidus of coiled and tortuous vascular connections. Cerebral Proliferative Angiopathy (CPA) is a rare type of AVM with pathological, clinical, diagnostic features and treatment differences from a typical AVM. We aimed to summarize important features of CPA already described and identify important gaps of evidence. Methods: Data was selected by a search of PUBMED with the term “cerebral proliferative angiopathy”. The articles considered relevant were included in this review. We also screened article references and included them as needed. Discussion: CPA shows a diffuse nidus appearance, presence of transdural supply and stenosis of feeding arteries, without dominant feeders or flow-related aneurysms. There is intermingled brain between the vascular spaces. The usual clinical presentation is seizures, headaches, and progressive neurological deficits. Sound diagnosis can be made based on CT, MRI, Angiography and perfusion techniques, which are essential to treatment choices. Invasive treatment is seldom indicated, in order to preserve the normal brain parenchyma, and clinical control of symptoms, associated with a thorough follow-up, is the usual approach in most reported cases. Conclusion: Still much remains to be learned about CPA. Establishing more precise roles of various radiological assessing methods, how they affect the follow-up of patients, and safety and efficacy profiles of different treatment approaches will provide us the tools to give patients a more solid intervention and clearer follow-up.Keywords: Vascular malformations, Intracranial arteriovenous malformations, Brain diseases, Cerebrovascular disordersResumoIntrodução: As malformações arteriovenosas cerebrais (MAVs) são lesões vasculares definidas por comunicação arteriovenosa por meio de conexões vasculares tortuosas. A angiopatia cerebral proliferativa (ACP) é um tipo raro de MAV com características patológicas, clínicas, diagnósticas e de tratamento distintas das MAVs típicas. Objetivou-se resumir características importantes da ACP já descritas na literatura, e identificar lacunas importantes nas evidências. Métodos: Os dados foram selecionados através de busca na base de dados PUBMED, com o termo “cerebral proliferative angiopathy”. Os artigos considerados relevantes foram incluídos nessa revisão, assim como alguns outros artigos presentes nas referências. Discussão: A ACP apresenta-se como um nidus difuso, associada à presença de irrigação transdural, de estenose das artérias que a alimentam, sem suprimento arterial dominante ou aneurismas relacionados ao fluxo. Há parênquima cerebral normal entre os espaços vasculares. Comumente se apresenta com crises epilépticas, cefaleia e déficits neurológicos progressivos. O diagnóstico de certeza pode ser realizado através de TC, RM, angiografia e técnicas de perfusão, e é essencial para a escolha do tratamento. Abordagens invasivas são raramente indicadas a fim de preservar o parênquima cerebral normal. O controle clínico dos sintomas, associado a seguimento rigoroso, é a escolha terapêutica geralmente utilizada na maioria dos relatos. Conclusão: Ainda há muito que se aprender sobre a ACP. Estabelecer os benefícios de cada um dos diversos métodos imaginológicos, como eles influenciam o seguimento dos pacientes, e perfis de segurança e eficácia das diferentes terapêuticas fornecerá ferramentas para melhor decisão terapêutica.Descritores: Malformações vasculares, Malformações arteriovenosas intracranianas, encefalopatias, Transtornos cerebrovasculares 

Spinal glomus-type arteriovenous malformations: microsurgical treatment in 20 cases

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 423-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azize Boström ◽  
Timo Krings ◽  
Franz J. Hans ◽  
Johannes Schramm ◽  
Armin K. Thron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Neurological Status ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Venous Stasis ◽  
Complete Occlusion ◽  
Microsurgical Treatment ◽  
Small Series ◽  
Incomplete Occlusion

Object Glomus-type spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare. In the literature only small series and anecdotal reports can be found, and there are no prospective series elucidating the natural course or the superiority of 1 treatment regimen over another (such as surgery versus embolization versus conservative treatment). Microsurgical treatment of spinal AVMs often seems difficult because many lesions are not anatomically suitable for primary microsurgical occlusion and are therefore treated with first-line neuroradiological interventions or not at all. Methods Between 1989 and 2005, 20 patients with glomus-type AVMs underwent microsurgical treatment at 2 major neurosurgical centers in Germany. The history of symptoms in these patients ranged from 2 days to 11 years. Four patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, 2 with intramedullary hematoma, 4 with paresthesia or pain, and 10 with clinical signs of myelopathy. Seven patients underwent partial embolization prior to microsurgery. The authors only operated on AVMs accessible from a dorsal or dorsolateral approach. Neurological status was assessed with the McCormick classification scheme. Follow-up data were obtained from outpatient records. Three patients were interviewed over the telephone and 4 patients were not available for follow-up evaluation. Results Surgery was performed via a laminectomy in 14 and hemilaminectomy in 6 patients. The microsurgical technique used consisted of retrograde dissection of the AVM from the venous side in most cases. Four (20%) of 20 patients showed worsening of neurological symptoms to a worse McCormick grade, probably caused by suspected venous stasis directly after surgery, however only 1 patient (5%) suffered permanent deterioration after surgery. In 14 patients postoperative angiography proved complete occlusion in 11 patients, including the presence of a remnant requiring a second operation with complete occlusion thereafter in 1 patient. In 3 patients occlusion was incomplete: a small residual AVM remained in 1 patient, and a discrete feeding vessel without a vein was evident in 2 patients. Conclusions Spinal cord AVMs are rare. If embolization is not possible, surgery may be indicated in selected cases. Spinal AVMs behave differently after incomplete occlusion either surgically or with embolization. A postoperative reduction in symptoms is frequent despite the presence of small remnants, and the risk of neurological deficits seems relatively low even in residual AVMs. Therefore, treatment need not necessarily aim at complete occlusion if that would be associated with an unacceptably high risk of neurological deficits.

scholarly journals Subarachnoid diverticulum associated with feline infectious peritonitis in a Siberian cat

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 205511692094147
Author(s):  
Christopher Hoey ◽  
George Nye ◽  
Angela Fadda ◽  
Janet Bradshaw ◽  
Emi N Barker
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Serum Biochemistry ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Feline Infectious Peritonitis ◽  
Case Summary ◽  
Choroid Plexitis ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Feline Coronavirus

Case summary A 7-month-old Siberian cat was presented for investigation of acute onset multifocal neurological deficits. Neurological examination documented dull mental status and an ambulatory left hemiparesis. Serum biochemistry documented marked hyperglobulinaemia. MRI of the brain identified marked leptomeningeal contrast enhancement extending along the brainstem caudally to involve the cranial cervical spinal cord. MRI of the cervical spine further identified a subarachnoid diverticulum that extended from the level of the obex to the C2–C3 vertebrae. Cerebrospinal fluid quantitative RT-PCR was positive for the presence of feline coronavirus. Histopathology revealed pyogranulomatous meningitis and choroid plexitis, uveitis and nephritis. Relevance and novel information This article describes the first reported case of a subarachnoid diverticulum associated with feline infectious peritonitis.

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