Ruptured tectal arteriovenous malformation demonstrated angiographically after removal of an unruptured occipital lobe arteriovenous malformation

Sporadic multiple cerebral arteriovenous malformations: case report and systematic review of additional 80 cases

INTRODUCTION

In absence of hereditary diseases multiple brain arteriovenous malformations are extremely rare. The case series that would include more than 13 patients are unlikely to be found, which causes an obstacle to comprehensively analyzing the peculiarities of epidemiology, symptoms and treatment options for this disorder. We describe patent with two independent arteriovenous malformations in frontal and parietal lobes that have been treated with combination of preoperative embolization, surgical excision and stereotactic radiosurgery. Systematic review of literature was also performed, focusing on epidemiology of sporadic multiple arteriovenous malformations, niduses location, clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We systematically analyzed relevant literature using the PubMed database, encompassing studies in English (published between 1956 and 2023) reporting incidence, epidemiological features, symptomatology and treatment of sporadic multiple brain arteriovenous malformations.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Forty-eight studies with a total of 80 sporadic multiple cerebral arteriovenous malformations were extracted from the literature. Twenty-two papers reported incidence of multiple brain arteriovenous malformations. The average incidence (including our data) was 2.4%, varying significantly between children and adults. Hemorrhage from one AVM was the most frequent debut of multiple cerebral arteriovenous malformations. Surgical removal of niduses remains a valuable treatment option even considering the enhancement of embolization techniques and the development of radiosurgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Sporadic multiple cerebral arteriovenous malformations represent a difficult problem to solve. The possibility of persistence of multiple brain arteriovenous malformations should be taken into account when diagnosing and following-up.

Clinico-Radiologic Outcomes After Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients with Complex High-Risk Multiple Arteriovenous Malformations

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to define the outcome and risks of patients with multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 1232 patients with AVMs who underwent SRS at our center between 1987 and 2017. We identified 10 patients who had SRS for multiple AVMs (total of 25). Eight patients presented with intracranial hemorrhage before SRS. Four patients had hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. A Spetzler-Martin grade I AVM was diagnosed in 11 AVMs, grade II in 7, grade III in 6, and grade IV in 1 AVM. The median maximum diameter was 12 mm, the median target volume was 1.1 cm³, and the median margin dose was 20 Gy. Twenty-four AVMs were treated with single-session SRS, and 1 AVM was treated with volume-staged SRS.

RESULTS

The angiographic complete obliteration rate of each AVM was 18.2%, 58.0%, and 66.4% at 3, 5, and 7 years, respectively. The angiographic complete obliteration rate of all treated AVMs in each patient was 11.1%, 51.4%, and 51.4% at 3, 5, and 7 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, higher marginal dose (≥18 Gy, P = 0.031) was significantly associated with complete obliteration of AVMs. After obliteration of all their AVMs was confirmed no patient bled.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with complex multiple AVMs often presented with a brain hemorrhage. Reduction in bleeding risk after SRS requires complete obliteration that is more likely if the initial AVM margin dose is ≥18 Gy for each AVM.

Hemorrhage Risk in Pediatric Patients with Multiple Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study aims to characterize the clinical features, treatment strategies, and annual hemorrhage incidence rate of pediatric patients with multiple arteriovenous malformations (MAVM).

METHODS

The PubMed and EMBASE databases and the arteriovenous malformations (AVM) database at the Johns Hopkins Hospital were searched for reports of pediatric patients (under 21 years of age) with MAVM. Data related to demographics, clinical features, management, and treatment outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Twenty-four pediatric patients met the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS

The annual hemorrhage incidence rate was 2.1%. The most common presenting features were neurological deficit (38%) and hemorrhage (21%). Treatment with embolization has become the most frequently used modality. In patients undergoing staged treatment of MAVM, hemorrhage of an untreated nidus (n = 1), visualization of a new nidus (n = 2), or disappearance of a draining vein (n = 1) occurred.

CONCLUSION

The annual hemorrhage incidence rate for pediatric patients with MAVM approaches the upper range of previously reported hemorrhage rates for solitary AVM. A staged approach to treating MAVM requires close follow-up as changes to the remaining nidi may occur during the latency period. Limitations of this study include its small sample size and reporting bias.

Hemorrhage risk and clinical features of multiple intracranial arteriovenous malformations

The aim of this report is to examine clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and annual hemorrhage incidence rate for patients with multiple arteriovenous malformations (MAVM). The PubMed and EMBASE databases and the arteriovenous malformations (AVM) database at The Johns Hopkins Hospital were searched to identify patients with MAVM. Data related to demographics, clinical features, management, and treatment outcomes were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Thirty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. The annual hemorrhage incidence rate was 6.7%. Surgical intervention remained the most common single-modality treatment from 1949-2011. Between 1990 and 2011, multiple-modality treatment strategies (36% of cases) were employed more frequently. The most common presenting features were neurological deficit (74%) and hemorrhage (63%). In patients undergoing staged treatment of MAVM, hemorrhage of an untreated nidus (n=5), visualization of a new nidus (n=9), and disappearance of an untreated nidus (n=2) were observed. Limitations of this study include small sample size and reporting bias. The annual hemorrhage incidence rate for MAVM patients was approximately two- to three-fold greater than the reported annual hemorrhage rates for solitary AVM. Combining different treatment modalities has become the most common management strategy. The potential instability of remaining nidi with staged or incomplete treatment necessitates close follow-up in these cases.