Purpose: Seizures are the second most common presentation of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs); pediatric patients are more likely to develop AVM-associated epilepsy. We examined the role of multimodality AVM treatment in pediatric AVM-associated epilepsy to characterize long-term epilepsy outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective chart review identified pediatric patients with AVM-associated epilepsy seen at our institution from 2005 to 2018. Variables measured included demographic and descriptive data. Primary outcomes included seizure freedom, seizure control, and functional outcomes.
Results: Of 105 pediatric patients with AVMs, 18 had AVM-related epilepsy. Thirteen underwent surgical resection, of which 6 underwent preoperative embolization. Twelve (92.31%) had complete resection; one (7.69%) with residual underwent redo craniotomy with subsequent complete resection. All had radiographic cure at most recent follow-up, with no recurrence seen during length of follow-up (mean 2.17 years, SD 1.40, range 0.25-4.41). Eight (61.54%) experienced seizure freedom postoperatively; 12 (92.31%) were modified Engel Class I at last follow-up. Five patients underwent treatment without open surgical resection, with conservative management (3, 60%) or endovascular embolization (2, 40%). None in our cohort underwent radiosurgery. Of those embolized, one had complete AVM obliteration and two had partial obliteration. Four of the 5 patients (80%) treated without open surgery achieved seizure freedom.
Conclusion: Long-term outcomes of AVM-related epilepsy are poorly characterized in children. We found that in addition to improved AVM outcomes regarding obliteration, treatment of residual, and recurrence, pediatric patients undergoing surgical AVM treatment had improved AVM-associated epilepsy outcomes, with 61.54% achieving seizure freedom and 92.31% classified as modified Engel Class I seizure control.
Keywords: Arteriovenous malformation; Epilepsy; Pediatric epilepsy; Pediatric vascular malformations.