scholarly journals Natural history of brain arteriovenous malformations: a systematic review

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. E7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Josh Abecassis ◽  
David S. Xu ◽  
H. Hunt Batjer ◽  
Bernard R. Bendok
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Venous Drainage ◽  
Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Brain Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Rupture ◽  
History Of ◽  
Arterial Aneurysms

Object The authors aimed to systematically review the literature to clarify the natural history of brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs). Methods The authors searched PubMed for one or more of the following terms: natural history, brain arteriovenous malformations, cerebral arteriovenous malformations, and risk of rupture. They included studies that reported annual rates of hemorrhage and that included either 100 patients or 5 years of treatment-free follow-up. Results The incidence of BAVMs is 1.12–1.42 cases per 100,000 person-years; 38%–68% of new cases are first-ever hemorrhage. The overall annual rates of hemorrhage for patients with untreated BAVMs range from 2.10% to 4.12%. Consistently implicated in subsequent hemorrhage are initial hemorrhagic presentation, exclusively deep venous drainage, and deep and infrantentorial brain location. The risk for rupture seems to be increased by large nidus size and concurrent arterial aneurysms, although these factors have not been studied as thoroughly. Venous stenosis has not been implicated in increased risk for rupture. Conclusions For patients with BAVMs, although the overall risk for hemorrhage seems to be 2.10%–4.12% per year, calculating an accurate risk profile for decision making involves clinical attention and accounting for specific features of the malformation.

scholarly journals The Natural History of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (03) ◽  
pp. 153-159
Author(s):  
Carlos Peres ◽  
Vitor Yamaki ◽  
Eberval Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Brain Infarction ◽  
Treatment Decision ◽  
Venous Drainage ◽  
Brain Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Risk Of Rupture ◽  
Choice Of Treatment ◽  
History Of

AbstractBrain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are relatively rare lesions with irreversible consequences in the context of hemorrhage. They are characterized by direct connections between arteries and veins without an intervening capillary network. The natural history of brain AVMs is controversial in the literature, with low evidence level gathered in the papers published, and with large divergence of results among them. A detailed understanding of the natural history is critical for treatment decision. The risk of development of deleterious outcomes such as hemorrhage or brain infarction should always be considered when submitting a patient to the risks of treatment. Several factors related to the patient and to the AVMs are determinants in the natural history of this disease. The topography, size, morphology and angioarchitecture of AVMs determine the risk of rupture. Large AVMs, those located in the posterior fossa and with deep venous drainage, have higher risk of rupture. Due to divergence in the literature regarding the natural history of AVMs, the choice of treatment should also consider experiences acquired over the years from reference centers with a high number of AVMs treated per year. We determined 7 variables that should be considered during the decision to treat an AVM: 1) previous hemorrhage; 2) aneurysm associated to the AVM; 3) direct arteriovenous fistula; 4) factors related to the nidus; 5) age and habits (smoking, sedentary lifestyle, diet quality); 6) the functional performance of the patient; 7) psychological factors.

scholarly journals Risk of Rupture and Risks of Endovascular Management of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xun Shen ◽  
Jie Liu ◽  
Xianli Lv ◽  
Youxiang Li
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Endovascular Management ◽  
Brain Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Risk Of Rupture ◽  
Cumulative Rate ◽  
History Of ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

This study reports the natural history of unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and the risks involved in their endovascular management. A total of 242 patients at our center were enrolled in the study, which had retrospective and prospective components. We retrospectively assessed the morbidity and mortality related to endovascular management in 125 patients with unruptured AVMs. We prospectively assessed the natural history of unruptured AVMs in 117 patients with newly diagnosed unruptured AVMs; 48 of the patients had no history of seizure (Group 1), whereas 69 had a history of seizure from the lesion (Group 2). The retrospective group was also divided into patients with and without seizures. The cumulative rate of rupture of AVMs in Group 2 was less than 0.8% per year, while the rate was approximately sixfold higher (5.1% per year) in Group 1. The overall cumulative rate of rupture of AVMs was less than 3.0% per year. The overall rate of endovascular management-related morbidity and mortality was 10.6% in Group 2 and 11.9% in Group 1 at 30 days and was 25.9% and 13.6%, respectively, at one year. There was no independent predictor of a poor endovascular outcome. The likelihood of rupture of unruptured AVMs was exceedingly low among patients in Group 2 and was substantially higher among those in Group 1. The risk of morbidity and mortality related to endovascular management greatly exceeded the six-year risk of rupture among patients in Group 2. Endovascular management of an AVM should not be performed to eliminate or to improve seizure frequency.

The Natural History and Management of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Davies ◽  
K. ter Brugge ◽  
R. Willinsky ◽  
M.C. Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Venous Drainage ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulae ◽  
Surgical Access ◽  
History Of ◽  
Grade Ii ◽  
Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae

The natural history of aggressive intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae (ICDAVF) is unknown. Despite this, the recently proposed classification scheme of Borden et al (Borden*) has the potential to predict aggressive lesion behavior after presentation for any lesion, but has so far been untested. In addition, they discuss a new but logical treatment strategy for aggressive ICDAVF based on the elimination of retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage (RLVD). Our similar philosophy and substantial experience with these lesions, provides a unique opportunity to test these hypotheses. A cohort of 46 Borden* grade II and III ICDAVF was selected from a series of 102 ICDAVF seen at a single institution between 1984 and 1995. Patients with these lesions, presumed to have an aggressive course were all offered treatment. Conservative therapy was chosen by 14 (30%) patients, 22 (47%) had surgery, and 20 (43%) had embolisation either as sole treatment or prior to surgery. During the follow-up period (249 lesion months) for the conservatively treated group, four (29%) patients died. Excluding presentation, these patients were observed to have interval rates of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), non haemorrhagic neurological deficit (NHND), and mortality, of 19.2%, 10.9%, and 19.3% / lesion year respectively. The 11 patients who had embolisation alone were followed for a total of 344 months after treatment. All nine patients who had lesion obliteration, or subtotal obliteration with elimination of RLVD, as confirmed by angiography, experienced improvement or complete clinical recovery. Two patients had subtotal obliteration without elimination of RLVD. One died from interval ICH and the other experienced a delayed NHND. Twenty-five surgical operations were performed on 23 ICDAVF in 22 patients. Resection of the ICDAVF was performed in 9 patients, and 16 patients were treated with surgical disconnection alone. Complications occurred in 3/9 (33%) patients who had their lesions resected and none of the disconnected group. Failure to achieve angiographic obliteration of RLVD in 2 patients treated with resection was associated with an adverse outcome in both cases (death, and interval NHND). All 16 (100%) of the disconnected group were shown to have undergone angiographic obliteration with excellent clinical outcome. Untreated, Borden* grade II and III ICDAVF have a poor natural history. Also, persistence of RLVD after inadequate treatment results in adverse outcomes. Embolisation usually improves the safety of surgical access and may lead to obliteration on its own in some cases. For the aggressive ICDAVF, surgery is required in most cases, and our data confirm that surgical disconnection alone results in cure of all Borden* grade III ICDAVF, and in grade II lesions, if not cure, conversion to a benign grade I lesion.

Advances in Radiosurgery for Arteriovenous Malformations of the Brain

Neurosurgery ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 74 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S50-S59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin A. Rubin ◽  
Andrew Brunswick ◽  
Howard Riina ◽  
Douglas Kondziolka
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽  
Endovascular Therapy ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Management Algorithms

Abstract Arteriovenous malformations of the brain are a considerable source of morbidity and mortality for patients who harbor them. Although our understanding of this disease has improved, it remains in evolution. Advances in our ability to treat these malformations and the modes by which we address them have also improved substantially. However, the variety of patient clinical and disease scenarios often leads us into challenging and complex management algorithms as we balance the risks of treatment against the natural history of the disease. The goal of this article is to provide a focused review of the natural history of cerebral arteriovenous malformations, to examine the role of stereotactic radiosurgery, to discuss the role of endovascular therapy as it relates to stereotactic radiosurgery, and to look toward future advances.

Natural History of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations

Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 1402
Author(s):  
Aki Laakso ◽  
Reza Dashti ◽  
Seppo Juvela ◽  
Kristjan Väärt ◽  
Mika Niemela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Brain Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
History Of

scholarly journals Endovascular Therapy Followed by Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 163-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Arai ◽  
Y. Handa ◽  
H. Ishii ◽  
Y. Ueda ◽  
H. Uno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Irradiation Therapy ◽  
Complete Obliteration ◽  
Vascular Structures

Pre-radiosurgical embolization was carried out using cyanoacrylate in seven of 13 patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with a linear accelerator (LINAC). The aim of embolization before SRS was the reduction of AVM volume and/or the elimination of vascular structures bearing an increased risk of haemorrhage. Staged-volume SRS was also performed in two patients because of residual irregular shaped nidus of AVMs even after the embolizations. Complete obliteration of the AVM nidus on angiogram was presented in five patients with embolizations (including one with staged-volume SRS) and in three of six patients with SRS alone, during follow-up periods after radiosurgery. No patients experienced haemorrhagic events after SRS. Although transient neurological symptoms were observed after embolizations in two patients, no permanent neurological deficits were presented in all patients with SRS. Pre-radiosurgical embolization may allow the effective influence on irradiation therapy in relatively large AVMs and promote more frequent obliteration in more small sized AVMs compared to those with SRS alone. However, further study must be needed to determine whether staged-volume SRS provides a high rate of AVM obliteration and its safeness.

A Single-Center, Prospective Analysis of the Natural History of Hemorrhage from Brain Arteriovenous Malformations with or without Associated Aneurysms

Neurosurgery ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 396-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leodante B. da Costa ◽  
Christopher M. Wallace ◽  
Karel TerBrugge ◽  
Robert Willinsky ◽  
Michael Tymianski
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Prospective Analysis ◽  
Single Center ◽  
Brain Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
History Of

The Natural History and Management of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Davies ◽  
J. Saleh ◽  
K. ter Brugge ◽  
R. Willinsky ◽  
M.C. Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Venous Drainage ◽  
Middle Cranial Fossa ◽  
Foramen Magnum ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulae ◽  
History Of ◽  
Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae

The recently proposed classification scheme of Borden, Wu, and Shucart (Borden*) should have the ability to identify those intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae (ICDAVF) which will continue to behave in a benign fashion. We examine for the first time the natural history of benign ICDAVF, including the predictive ability of this grading scale, and the implications for lesion management. A cohort of 55 Borden* grade I lesions was selected from a heterogeneous series of 102 consecutive ICDAVF seen at one institution between 1984 and 1995. Data were collected prospectively from 1991. Grade I lesions were those whose nidus drained directly into a dural venous sinus (DVS) or meningeal vein. The absence of retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage (RLVD) was an important feature. Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH), non haemorrhagic neurological deficit (NHND), and death were considered aggressive features. There were 23 cavernous sinus, 2 foramen magnum, 1 middle cranial fossa, and 29 transverse sinus lesions. One patient received obliterative surgical treatment. Thirty-two lesions were observed only, and 22 patients developed symptoms or signs requiring palliative embolisation. Two minor complications occurred following embolisation: transient pulmonary aedema (1), and an asymptomatic pericallosal artery embolus (1). Follow-up was available on 48 (89%) patients for a total of 133 patient years (mean 33 months). This included 26 of the 32 patients observed and all 22 of the patients embolised. Aggressive interval behavior was seen in only one patient. Symptom improvement or resolution was observed in the majority of patients, whether observed only [21/26 (81%)], or whether they required embolisation for symptom palliation [19/22 (86%)]. Overall, 53 of the 54 (98%) of ICDAVF behaved in a benign fashion in the follow-up period. The predictable benign natural history of patients identified as Borden* grade I at presentation mandates a conservative approach to these ICDAVF. In some patients, when symptom severity demands, palliative embolisation is an effective and safe therapy.

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