[Natural course of the arteriovenous malformations of the brain]

Acta Chir Iugosl. 2008;55(2):107-18. doi: 10.2298/aci0802107t.
[Article in Serbian]

Abstract

Arteriovenous cerebral malformations represent congenital malformations. Considering the anatomical characteristics of the cerebral angiomas and their localization, in a great number of cases they demand a combined therapeutic approach--surgery, embolization and radiotherapy. Besides the constant progress of technology, 5% of all cerebral angiomas can not be completely excluded from the circulation. Therefore, the need to understand their natural course became a necessity. Our results point to the fact that they are vascular malformations of a considerably more benign clinical course than the aneurysms. Our clinical model points to an annual risk of hemorrhage which is 3.3% with total mortality of 5.3%, especially if the size of the angioma is 2.5-5 cm, localized in the motor zone of the brain, with combined type of vein drainage and arterial supply from the vertebrobasilary confluence. Epilepsy caused by the cerebral angioma is in 26.7% refractory to medicamentous therapy and in 25% (every 4th patient) will have hemorrhage with an annual risk of 0.14%.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / classification
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / complications
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / diagnosis*
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged