Clinical outcome of radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations

Stereotactic Radiosurgery With Versus Without Neoadjuvant Endovascular Embolization for Brain Arteriovenous Malformations With Associated Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with neoadjuvant embolization is a treatment strategy for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), especially for those with large nidal volume or concomitant aneurysms. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of pre-SRS embolization in AVMs with an associated intracranial aneurysm (IA).

METHODS

The International Radiosurgery Research Foundation AVM database from 1987 to 2018 was retrospectively reviewed. SRS-treated AVMs with IAs were included. Patients were categorized into those treated with upfront embolization (E + SRS) vs stand-alone SRS (SRS). Primary end point was a favorable outcome (AVM obliteration + no permanent radiation-induced changes or post-SRS hemorrhage). Secondary outcomes included AVM obliteration, mortality, follow-up modified Rankin Scale, post-SRS hemorrhage, and radiation-induced changes.

RESULTS

Forty four AVM patients with associated IAs were included, of which 23 (52.3%) underwent pre-SRS embolization and 21 (47.7%) SRS only. Significant differences between the E + SRS vs SRS groups were found for AVM maximum diameter (1.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.1 ± 0.4 cm 3 , P = .019) and SRS treatment volume (9.3 ± 8.3 vs 4.3 ± 3.3 cm 3 , P = .025). A favorable outcome was achieved in 45.4% of patients in the E + SRS group and 38.1% in the SRS group ( P = .625). Obliteration rates were comparable (56.5% for E + SRS vs 47.6% for SRS, P = .555), whereas a higher mortality rate was found in the SRS group (19.1% vs 0%, P = .048). After adjusting for AVM maximum diameter, SRS treatment volume, and maximum radiation dose, the likelihood of achieving favorable outcome and AVM obliteration did not differ between groups ( P = .475 and P = .820, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The likelihood of a favorable outcome and AVM obliteration after SRS with neoadjuvant embolization in AVMs with concomitant IA seems to be comparable with stand-alone SRS, even after adjusting for AVM volume and SRS maximum dose. However, the increased mortality among the stand-alone SRS group and relatively low risk of embolization-related complications suggest that these patients may benefit from a combined treatment approach.

Clinical Presentations and Treatment Approaches in a Retrospective Analysis of 128 Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation Cases

BACKGROUND

Intracranial AVMs are a highly heterogeneous group of lesions that, while not very common, can pose significant risks. The therapeutic management of AVMs is complicated by ambiguous guidelines, particularly regarding which Spetzler-Martin grades should dictate specific treatment options. This study analyzed the clinical presentations and treatment approaches of 128 brain AVM cases managed between 2014 and 2022 at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases in Bucharest, Romania.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on patient demographics, clinical symptoms, Spetzler-Martin categorization, nidus localization, therapeutic management, and outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using Python 3.10.

RESULTS

In our cohort of patients, the median age was 45 years, with a slight male predominance (67 males, 61 females). At admission, 51.5% presented with elevated blood pressure. The majority of patients had a Spetzler-Martin score of 2 (37.5%), followed by scores of 3 (31.3%) and 1 (20.3%). Treatment strategies included microsurgical resection in 32% of cases, conservative management in 31.2%, Gamma Knife radiosurgery in 22.6%, and endovascular embolization in 13.3%. Notably, open surgery was predominantly chosen for Grade II AVMs. The functional outcomes were favorable, with 69.5% achieving a good recovery score on the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Only four in-hospital deaths occurred, all in patients who underwent open surgery, and no deaths were recorded during the two-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

AVMs within the same Spetzler-Martin grade display considerable complexity, necessitating personalized treatment strategies. Our findings highlight the limitations of open surgery for Grade I cases but affirm its effectiveness for Grade II AVMs.

Characterization of Pediatric Infratentorial Arteriovenous Malformations: A Retrospective, Multicenter Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Infratentorial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) harbor different characteristics compared with supratentorial AVMs. This study aims to explore the unique characteristics of pediatric infratentorial AVMs and their response to single session stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

METHODS

The International Radiosurgery Research Foundation database of pediatric patients with AVM (age <18 years) who underwent SRS was retrospectively reviewed. Baseline demographics, AVM characteristics, outcomes, and complications post-SRS were compared between infratentorial and supratentorial pediatric AVMs. Unfavorable outcome was defined as the absence of AVM obliteration, post-SRS hemorrhage, or permanent radiation-induced changes at last follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 535 pediatric AVMs managed with SRS with a median follow-up of 67 months (IQR 29.0-130.6) were included, with 69 being infratentorial and 466 supratentorial. The infratentorial group had a higher proportion of deep location (58.4% vs 30.3%, P = <.001), deep venous drainage (79.8% vs 61.8%, P = .004), and prior embolization (26.1% vs 15.7%, P = .032). There was a higher proportion of hemorrhagic presentation in the infratentorial group (79.7% vs 71.3%, P = .146). There was no statistically significant difference in the odds of an unfavorable outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36 [0.82-2.28]), AVM obliteration (OR = 0.85 [0.5-1.43]), post-SRS hemorrhage (OR = 0.83 [0.31-2.18]), or radiologic radiation-induced changes (OR = 1.08 [0.63-1.84]) between both cohorts. No statistically significant difference on the rates of outcomes of interest and complications were found in the adjusted model.

CONCLUSION

Despite baseline differences between infratentorial and supratentorial pediatric AVMs, SRS outcomes, including AVM obliteration and post-SRS hemorrhage rates, were comparable amongst both groups. SRS appears to have a similar risk profile and therapeutic benefit to infratentorial pediatric AVMs as it does for those with a supratentorial location.

Current and Future Applications of Arterial Spin Labeling MRI in Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) has emerged as a promising noninvasive tool for the evaluation of both pediatric and adult arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). This paper reviews the advantages and challenges associated with the use of ASL in AVM assessment. An assessment of the diagnostic workup of AVMs and their variants in both adult and pediatric populations is proposed. Evaluation after treatments, whether endovascular or microsurgical, was similarly examined. ASL, with its endogenous tracer and favorable safety profile, offers functional assessment and arterial feeder identification. ASL has demonstrated strong performance in identifying feeder arteries and detecting arteriovenous shunting, although some studies report inferior performance compared with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in delineating venous drainage. Challenges include uncertainties in sensitivity for specific AVM features. Detecting AVMs in challenging locations, such as the apical cranial convexity, is further complicated, demanding careful consideration due to the risk of underestimating total blood flow. Navigating these challenges, ASL provides a noninvasive avenue with undeniable merits, but a balanced approach considering its limitations is crucial. Larger-scale prospective studies are needed to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic performance of ASL in AVM assessment.

Historical Progress of Stereotactic Radiation Surgery

Radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy have established themselves as precise and accurate areas of radiation oncology for the treatment of brain and extracranial lesions. Along with the evolution of other methods of radiotherapy, this type of treatment has been associated with significant advances in terms of a variety of modalities and techniques to improve the accuracy and efficacy of treatment. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the progress in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) over several decades, and includes a review of various articles and research papers, commencing with the emergence of stereotactic techniques in radiotherapy. Key clinical aspects of SRS, such as fixation methods, radiobiology considerations, quality assurance practices, and treatment planning strategies, are presented. In addition, the review highlights the technological advancements in treatment modalities, encompassing the transition from cobalt-based systems to linear accelerator-based modalities. By addressing these topics, this study aims to offer insights into the advancements that have shaped the field of SRS, that have ultimately enhanced the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment.

Epilepsy

GKNS has been introduced as an alternative to microsurgery for the treatment of certain types of focal epilepsy. It was first noted that epilepsy associated with AVMs often improved before the obliteration of the vascular lesion. It was subsequently shown that the treatment could be effective in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) producing remission in around 60% of patients, provided the treatment was carried out as originally designed. GKNS has also been useful in the treatment of gelastic epilepsy associated with hypothalamic hamartomas.

Intracranial arteriovenous malformations

The treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) has evolved over the last 10 years. It is now possible to see that obliteration continues for up to 10 years and that the final obliteration rate may be between 85% and 90%. Improved imaging has made the treatment more efficient and has reduced the complications. It is possible to treat larger AVMs in a single session than was previously thought possible without increases in the complication rates. In addition, treatments of larger lesions can be staged. The use of 3D rotating angiography produces remarkable images which can be imported into GammaPlan. On the other hand efforts are ongoing to avoid the need for digital subtraction angiography, which would make the treatment a lot more comfortable.

Complete seizure-free rates following interventional treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Seizures are common presenting symptoms of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the current evidence regarding complete seizure freedom rates following surgical resection, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and/or endovascular embolization of intracranial AVMs. A systematic review of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid EMBASE was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Included manuscripts were methodically scrutinized for quality, spontaneous AVM-associated or hemorrhage-associated seizures, complete seizure-free rates following each interventional treatment, follow-up duration; determination methods of seizure outcomes, and average time-to-onset of recurrent seizures after each treatment. Manuscripts that described patients with nondisabling seizures or reduced seizure frequency in their seizure-free calculations were excluded. Seizure freedom rates following surgical resection, SRS, and endovascular embolization were compared via random-effect analysis. Thirty-four studies with a total of 1765 intracranial AVM patients presenting with spontaneous AVM-associated seizures and 408 patients presenting with hemorrhage-associated seizures were qualitatively analyzed. For patients presenting with AVM-associated seizures, the complete seizure-free rates were 73.0% (321/440 patients; 95% CI 68.8-77.1%) following surgical resection, 60.5% (376/622 patients; 95% CI 56.6-64.3%) following SRS, and 44.6% (29/65 patients; 95% CI 32.5-56.7%) following endovascular embolization alone. For patients presenting with either AVM-associated or hemorrhage-associated seizures, the complete seizure-free rates were 73.0% (584/800 patients; 95% CI 69.9-76.1%) following surgical resection, 46.4% (572/1233 patients; 95% CI 43.6-49.2%) following SRS, and 44.6% (29/65 patients; 95% CI 32.5-56.7%) following embolization. For patients presenting with either AVM-associated or hemorrhage-associated seizures, the overall improvements in seizure outcomes regardless of complete seizure freedom were 82.6% (661/800 patients; 95% CI 80.0-85.3%), 70.6% (870/1233 patients; 95% CI 68.0-73.1%), and 70.8% (46/65 patients; 95% CI 59.7-81.1%) following surgical resection, SRS, and embolization, respectively. No study reported information about the time-to-onset for recurrent seizures in any patient following treatment, as seizure outcomes were only described at the last follow-up visit. The available data suggests that surgical resection results in the highest rate of complete seizure freedom. The rate of seizure improvement following surgery increased further to 82.3% when including patients who had improved seizure frequency without achieving true seizure freedom. Complete seizure-free rates following SRS or embolization were more ambiguous and lower when compared to surgical resection. There is a need for high quality studies evaluating AVM treatment modalities and clearly defined seizure outcomes, as the current literature consists mostly of heterogenous patient populations.

100 Years since the birth of Ladislau Steiner. Creativity of Neurosurgery

Ladislau Steiner (1920–2013) was a Romanian neurosurgeon, born in the historic and picturesque region of Făgăraş. He was educated by some of the best doctors and professors in Romania, during the communist regime. After his escape through the communist regime, in 1961, at 41 years old, he started his neurosurgical and radiosurgical career at Karolinska Institute, in Stockholm, under the renown Herbert Olivecrona and Lars Leksell. He worked here for 25 years, until he retired in 1987 as head of 1^st and 2^nd Departments of Neurosurgery in the institute’s affiliated clinic Sophiahemmet Hospital. He is most known in Sweden as the first to introduce microsurgical techniques in neurosurgery, but internationally he is known as “the unofficial emissary of Gamma Knife Surgery”. After his retirement, he continued his practice at University of Virginia, USA, for another 23 years and another two years at International Neurosciences Institute, Hannover, Germany, being a Professor of Neurosurgery and Radiology of Gamma Knife Surgery. Thanks to his efforts, Romanian neurosurgery had an accelerated progress after the fall of communism, in 1989. Also, thanks to him, Romania was the first Southeast European country with a Gamma Knife unit. For his efforts, he was appointed Honorary President of the Romanian Society of Neurosurgery. We pay tribute to a great Romanian neurosurgeon who managed to touch the lives of thousands of patients and doctors from almost all countries in the world, in time when the world was divided between east and west, communism and freedom.

Effect of Prior Embolization on Outcomes After Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Pediatric Brain Arteriovenous Malformations: An International Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Pediatric brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a significant cause of morbidity but the role of multimodal therapy in the treatment of these lesions is not well understood.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with and without prior embolization for pediatric AVMs.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation pediatric AVM database. AVMs were categorized, based on use of pre-embolization (E + SRS) or lack thereof (SRS-only). Outcomes were compared in unadjusted and inverse probability weight (IPW)-adjusted models. Favorable outcome was defined as obliteration without post-SRS hemorrhage or permanent radiation-induced changes (RIC).

RESULTS

The E + SRS and SRS-only cohorts comprised 91 and 448 patients, respectively. In unadjusted models, the SRS-only cohort had higher rates of obliteration (68.5% vs 43.3%,  < .001) and favorable outcome (61.2% vs 36.3%, P < .001) but a lower rate of symptomatic RIC (9.0% vs 16.7%, P = .031). The IPW-adjusted rates of every outcome were similar between the 2 cohorts. However, cumulative obliteration rates at 3, 5, 8, and 10 yr remained higher in the absence of prior embolization (46.3%, 64.6%, 72.6%, and 77.4% for SRS-only vs 24.4%, 37.2%, 44.1%, and 48.7% for E + SRS cohorts, respectively; SHR = 0.449 [0.238-0.846], P = .013).

CONCLUSION

Embolization appears to decrease cumulative obliteration rates after SRS for pediatric AVMs without affecting the risk of post-treatment hemorrhage or adverse radiation effects arguing against the routine use of pre-SRS embolization. While endovascular therapy can be considered for occlusion of high-risk angioarchitectural features prior to SRS, future studies are necessary to clarify its role.

Chronic encapsulated expanding hematomas after stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial arteriovenous malformations

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare cerebral vascular lesions that are associated with high morbidity and mortality from hemorrhage; however, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a well-validated treatment modality. Few reports have delineated a subgroup of patients who develop delayed chronic encapsulated expanding hematomas (CEEHs) despite angiographic evidence of AVM obliteration following radiosurgery. In this report, the authors performed a retrospective review of more than 1000 radiosurgically treated intracranial AVM cases to delineate the incidence and management of this rare entity.

METHODS

Between 1988 and 2019, 1010 patients with intracranial AVM underwent Gamma Knife SRS at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In addition to a review of a prospective institutional database, the authors performed a retrospective chart review of the departmental AVM database to specifically identify patients with CEEH. Pertinent clinical and radiological characteristics as well as patient outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Nine hundred fifty patients with intracranial AVM (94%) had sufficient clinical follow-up for analysis. Of these, 6 patients with CEEH underwent delayed resection (incidence rate of 0.0045 event per person-year). These patients included 4 males and 2 females with a mean age of 45.3 ± 13.8 years at the time of initial SRS. Four patients had smaller AVM volumes (4.9-10 cm3), and 3 of them were treated with a single SRS procedure. Two patients had larger-volume AVMs (55 and 56 cm3), and both underwent multimodal management that included staged SRS and embolization. Time to initial recognition of the CEEH after initial SRS ranged between 66 and 243 months. The time between CEEH recognition and resection ranged from 2 to 9 months. Resection was required because of progressive neurological symptoms that correlated with imaging evidence of gradual hematoma expansion. All 6 patients had angiographically confirmed obliteration of their AVM. Pathology revealed a mixed chronicity hematoma with areas of fibrosed blood vessels and rare areas of neovascularization with immature blood vessels but no evidence of a persistent AVM. All 6 patients reported persistent clinical improvement after hematoma resection.

CONCLUSIONS

CEEH after SRS for AVM is a rare complication with an incidence rate of 0.0045 event per person-year over the authors' 30-year experience. When clinical symptoms progress and imaging reveals progressive enlargement over time, complete resection of a CEEH results in significant clinical recovery. Knowledge of this rare entity facilitates timely detection and eventual surgical intervention to achieve optimal outcomes.

Chinese Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery Society and Chinese Interventional & Hybrid Operation Society, of Chinese Stroke Association Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations in Eloquent Areas

Aim: The aim of this guideline is to present current and comprehensive recommendations for the management of brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) located in eloquent areas. Methods: An extended literature search on MEDLINE was performed between Jan 1970 and May 2020. Eloquence-related literature was further screened and interpreted in different subcategories of this guideline. The writing group discussed narrative text and recommendations through group meetings and online video conferences. Recommendations followed the Applying Classification of Recommendations and Level of Evidence proposed by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Prerelease review of the draft guideline was performed by four expert peer reviewers and by the members of Chinese Stroke Association. Results: In total, 809 out of 2,493 publications were identified to be related to eloquent structure or neurological functions of bAVMs. Three-hundred and forty-one publications were comprehensively interpreted and cited by this guideline. Evidence-based guidelines were presented for the clinical evaluation and treatment of bAVMs with eloquence involved. Topics focused on neuroanatomy of activated eloquent structure, functional neuroimaging, neurological assessment, indication, and recommendations of different therapeutic managements. Fifty-nine recommendations were summarized, including 20 in Class I, 30 in Class IIa, 9 in Class IIb, and 2 in Class III. Conclusions: The management of eloquent bAVMs remains challenging. With the evolutionary understanding of eloquent areas, the guideline highlights the assessment of eloquent bAVMs, and a strategy for decision-making in the management of eloquent bAVMs.

Neuromodulation via Focal Radiation: Radiomodulation Update

When radiation is focally delivered to brain tissue at sub-ablative doses, neural activity may be altered. When done at a specific brain circuit node or connection, this is referred to as “radiomodulation.” Radiation-induced effects on brain tissue, basic science, and clinical research that supports the radiomodulation hypothesis are reviewed in this article. We review progress in defining the necessary parameters in terms of dose, volumes, and anatomical location. It may be possible to deliver therapeutic neuromodulation that is non-invasive, non-destructive, and durable.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Robotic Radiosurgery of Arteriovenous Malformations

Objective

CyberKnife offers CT- and MRI-based treatment planning without the need for stereotactically acquired DSA. The literature on CyberKnife treatment of cerebral AVMs is sparse. Here, a large series focusing on cerebral AVMs treated by the frameless CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) system was analyzed.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients with cerebral AVMs treated by CyberKnife SRS between 2005 and 2019 were included. Planning was MRI- and CT-based. Conventional DSA was not coregistered to the MRI and CT scans used for treatment planning and was only used as an adjunct. Obliteration dynamics and clinical outcome were analyzed.

Results

215 patients were included. 53.0% received SRS as first treatment; the rest underwent previous surgery, embolization, SRS, or a combination. Most AVMs were classified as Spetzler-Martin grade I to III (54.9%). Hemorrhage before treatment occurred in 46.0%. Patients suffered from headache (28.8%), and seizures (14.0%) in the majority of cases. The median SRS dose was 18 Gy and the median target volume was 2.4 cm³. New neurological deficits occurred in 5.1% after SRS, with all but one patient recovering. The yearly post-SRS hemorrhage incidence was 1.3%. In 152 patients who were followed-up for at least three years, 47.4% showed complete AVM obliteration within this period. Cox regression analysis revealed Spetzler-Martin grade (P = 0.006) to be the only independent predictor of complete obliteration.

Conclusions

Although data on radiotherapy of AVMs is available, this is one of the largest series, focusing exclusively on CyberKnife treatment. Safety and efficacy compared favorably to frame-based systems. Non-invasive treatment planning, with a frameless SRS robotic system might provide higher patient comfort, a less invasive treatment option, and lower radiation exposure.

An Intracortical Implantable Brain-Computer Interface for Telemetric Real-Time Recording and Manipulation of Neuronal Circuits for Closed-Loop Intervention

Recording and manipulating neuronal ensemble activity is a key requirement in advanced neuromodulatory and behavior studies. Devices capable of both recording and manipulating neuronal activity brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) should ideally operate un-tethered and allow chronic longitudinal manipulations in the freely moving animal. In this study, we designed a new intracortical BCI feasible of telemetric recording and stimulating local gray and white matter of visual neural circuit after irradiation exposure. To increase the translational reliance, we put forward a Göttingen minipig model. The animal was stereotactically irradiated at the level of the visual cortex upon defining the target by a fused cerebral MRI and CT scan. A fully implantable neural telemetry system consisting of a 64 channel intracortical multielectrode array, a telemetry capsule, and an inductive rechargeable battery was then implanted into the visual cortex to record and manipulate local field potentials, and multi-unit activity. We achieved a 3-month stability of the functionality of the un-tethered BCI in terms of telemetric radio-communication, inductive battery charging, and device biocompatibility for 3 months. Finally, we could reliably record the local signature of sub- and suprathreshold neuronal activity in the visual cortex with high bandwidth without complications. The ability to wireless induction charging combined with the entirely implantable design, the rather high recording bandwidth, and the ability to record and stimulate simultaneously put forward a wireless BCI capable of long-term un-tethered real-time communication for causal preclinical circuit-based closed-loop interventions.

Bibliometric analysis of the top-100 most cited articles on the radiosurgical management of cerebral arteriovenous malformation

Background:

Radiosurgery is an effective, alternative treatment modality in managing patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The present study aims to highlight the scholarly impact of the top-100 most cited articles on the radiosurgical management of AVMs.

Methods:

A title-specific search using the keyword “arteriovenous malformation” was conducted in the Scopus database. The outcome of the search was rearranged based on the citations count. Articles were categorized into four entities; clinical, gamma knife radiosurgery, linear accelerator (LINAC) radiosurgery, and proton beam radiosurgery. The exclusion criteria were applied to spinal or non-intracranial AVM, conference papers, non-English articles predominantly discussing the endovascular or microsurgical management.

Results:

The top-100 articles on the radiosurgical management of AVM were published between 1972 and 2016. Approximately one-third of the publications were produced between 1995 and 2000. The average citations per year for all papers were seven. The most-studied entity was pertinent to the clinical application of gamma knife radiosurgery in AVM (68%). The United States was the most active country in studying the radiosurgical application in AVM. The Journal of Neurosurgery published approximately one-third of the most-cited articles in the list. The top-3 most contributing authors, publishing 80% of articles in the list, were Lunsford et al.

Conclusion:

The radiosurgical management of AVMs evolved significantly throughout the years. Identifications of the publication trends facilitate the acquisition of evidence-based articles for authors investigating various radiosurgical techniques in the treatment of AVMs.

Brain arteriovenous malformations

Brain arteriovenous malformations are an important cause of intracerebral hemorrhage in the young. Ruptured AVM's are often treated, as the risk of rebleeding is high. The treatment of incidentally discovered, unruptured AVMs is controversial as the morbidity and mortality of treatment may exceed that of the AVM's natural history. Management is multimodal and includes observation with follow up, as well as microsurgical resection, endovascular embolization, and stereotactic radiosurgery. Multidisciplinary teams are important in evaluating patients for treatment. The goal of treatment is complete AVM obliteration while preserving neurologic function.

Radiation-Induced Imaging Changes and Cerebral Edema following Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain AVMs

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

T2 signal and FLAIR changes in patients undergoing stereotactic radiosurgery for brain AVMs may occur posttreatment and could result in adverse radiation effects. We aimed to evaluate outcomes in patients with these imaging changes, the frequency and degree of this response, and factors associated with it.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Through this retrospective cohort study, consecutive patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery for brain AVMs who had at least 1 year of follow-up MR imaging were identified. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of outcomes.

RESULTS

One-hundred-sixty AVMs were treated in 148 patients (mean, 35.6 years of age), including 42 (26.2%) pediatric AVMs. The mean MR imaging follow-up was 56.5 months. The median Spetzler-Martin grade was III. The mean maximal AVM diameter was 2.8 cm, and the mean AVM target volume was 7.4 mL. The median radiation dose was 16.5 Gy. New T2 signal and FLAIR hyperintensity were noted in 40% of AVMs. T2 FLAIR volumes at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were, respectively, 4.04, 55.47, 56.42, 48.06, and 29.38 mL Radiation-induced neurologic symptoms were encountered in 34.4%. In patients with radiation-induced imaging changes, 69.2% had new neurologic symptoms versus 9.5% of patients with no imaging changes (P = .0001). Imaging changes were significantly associated with new neurologic findings (P < .001). Larger AVM maximal diameter (P = .04) and the presence of multiple feeding arteries (P = .01) were associated with radiation-induced imaging changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiation-induced imaging changes are common following linear particle accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery for brain AVMs, appear to peak at 12 months, and are significantly associated with new neurologic findings.

Early obliteration of pediatric brain arteriovenous malformations after stereotactic radiosurgery: an international multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a treatment option for pediatric brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and early obliteration could encourage SRS utilization for a subset of particularly radiosensitive lesions. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of early obliteration after SRS for pediatric AVMs.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation AVM database. Obliterated pediatric AVMs were sorted into early (obliteration ≤ 24 months after SRS) and late (obliteration > 24 months after SRS) responders. Predictors of early obliteration were identified, and the outcomes of each group were compared.

RESULTS

The overall study cohort was composed of 345 pediatric patients with obliterated AVMs. The early and late obliteration cohorts were made up of 95 (28%) and 250 (72%) patients, respectively. Independent predictors of early obliteration were female sex, a single SRS treatment, a higher margin dose, a higher isodose line, a deep AVM location, and a smaller AVM volume. The crude rate of post-SRS hemorrhage was 50% lower in the early (3.2%) than in the late (6.4%) obliteration cohorts, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.248). The other outcomes of the early versus late obliteration cohorts were similar, with respect to symptomatic radiation-induced changes (RICs), cyst formation, and tumor formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one-quarter of pediatric AVMs that become obliterated after SRS will achieve this radiological endpoint within 24 months of initial SRS. The authors identified multiple factors associated with early obliteration, which may aid in prognostication and management. The overall risks of delayed hemorrhage, RICs, cyst formation, and tumor formation were not statistically different in patients with early versus late obliteration.

Radionecrosis and cellular changes in small volume stereotactic brain radiosurgery in a porcine model

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has proven an effective tool for the treatment of brain tumors, arteriovenous malformation, and functional conditions. However, radiation-induced therapeutic effect in viable cells in functional SRS is also suggested. Evaluation of the proposed modulatory effect of irradiation on neuronal activity without causing cellular death requires the knowledge of radiation dose tolerance at very small tissue volume. Therefore, we aimed to establish a porcine model to study the effects of ultra-high radiosurgical doses in small volumes of the brain. Five minipigs received focal stereotactic radiosurgery with single large doses of 40–100 Gy to 5–7.5 mm fields in the left primary motor cortex and the right subcortical white matter, and one animal remained as unirradiated control. The animals were followed-up with serial MRI, PET scans, and histology 6 months post-radiation. We observed a dose-dependent relation of the histological and MRI changes at 6 months post-radiation. The necrotic lesions were seen in the grey matter at 100 Gy and in white matter at 60 Gy. Furthermore, small volume radiosurgery at different dose levels induced vascular, as well as neuronal cell changes and glial cell remodeling.

The impact of preradiosurgery embolization on intracranial arteriovenous malformations: a matched cohort analysis based on de novo lesion volume

OBJECTIVE

The benefits and risks of pre-stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) embolization have been reported in different studies. The goal of this study was to compare the long-term outcome of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated with and without pre-SRS embolization.

METHODS

A database including 1159 patients with AVMs who underwent SRS was reviewed. The embolized group was selected by including AVMs with pre-SRS embolization, maximal diameter > 30 mm, and estimated volume > 8 ml. The nonembolized group was defined as AVMs treated by SRS alone with matched de novo nidus volume. Outcomes including incidences of favorable clinical outcome (obliteration without hemorrhage, cyst formation, worsening, or new seizures), obliteration, adverse effects, and angioarchitectural complexity were evaluated.

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised 17 patients in the embolized group (median AVM volume 17.0 ml) and 35 patients in the nonembolized group (median AVM volume 13.1 ml). The rates of obliteration (embolized cohort: 33%, 44%, and 56%; nonembolized cohort: 32%, 47%, and 47% at 4, 6, and 10 years, respectively) and favorable outcome were comparable between the 2 groups. However, the embolized group had a significantly higher incidence of repeat SRS (41% vs 23%, p = 0.012) and total procedures (median number of procedures 4 vs 1, p < 0.001), even with a significantly higher margin dose delivered at the first SRS (23 Gy vs 17 Gy, p < 0.001). The median angioarchitectural complexity score was reduced from 7 to 5 after embolization. Collateral flow and neovascularization were more frequently observed in the embolized nonobliterated AVMs.

CONCLUSIONS

Both embolization plus SRS and SRS alone were effective therapies for moderately large (8-39 ml) AVMs. Even with a significantly higher prescription dose at the time of initial SRS, the embolized group still required more procedures to reach final obliteration. The presence of collateral flow and neovascularization could be risk factors for a failure to obliterate following treatment.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Arteriovenous Malformations: Evaluation of Obliteration and Review of Associated Predictors

BACKGROUND

High arteriovenous malformation (AVM) obliteration rates have been reported with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and multiple factors have been found to be associated with AVM obliteration. These predictors have been inconsistent throughout studies. We aimed to analyze our experience with linear accelerator (LINAC)-based SRS for brain AVMs, evaluate outcomes, assess factors associated with AVM obliteration and review the various reported predictors of AVM obliteration.

METHODS

Electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify consecutive patients with brain AVMs treated with SRS over a 27-year period with at least 2 years of follow-up. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with AVM obliteration.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-eight patients with 142 brain AVMs treated with SRS were included. Mean age was 34.4 years. Fifty-two percent of AVMs were associated with a hemorrhage before SRS, and 14.8% were previously embolized. Mean clinical and angiographic follow-up times were 67.8 months and 58.6 months, respectively. The median Spetzler-Martin grade was 3. Mean maximal AVM diameter was 2.8 cm and mean AVM target volume was 7.4 cm³ with a median radiation dose of 16 Gy. Complete AVM obliteration was achieved in 80.3%. Radiation-related signs and symptoms were encountered in 32.4%, only 4.9% of which consisted of a permanent deficit. Post-SRS AVM-related hemorrhage occurred in 6.3% of cases. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with AVM obliteration included younger patient age (P = .019), male gender (P = .008), smaller AVM diameter (P = .04), smaller AVM target volume (P = .009), smaller isodose surface volume (P = .005), a higher delivered radiation dose (P = .013), and having only one major draining vein (P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

AVM obliteration with LINAC-based radiosurgery was safe and effective and achieved complete AVM obliteration in about 80% of cases. The most prominent predictors of AVM success included AVM size, AVM volume, radiation dose, number of draining veins and patient age.

Cost determinants in management of brain arteriovenous malformations

INTRODUCTION

There is little data on the cost of treating brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The goal of this study then is to identify cost determinants in multimodal management of brain AVMs.

METHODS

One hundred forty patients with brain AVMs prospectively enrolled in the UCSF brain AVM registry and treated between 2012 and 2015 were included in the study. Patient and AVM characteristics, treatment type, and length of stay and radiographic evidence of obliteration were collected from the registry. We then calculated the cost of all inpatient and outpatient encounters, interventions, and imaging attributable to the AVM. We used generalized linear models to test whether there was an association between patient and AVM characteristics, treatment type, and cost and length of stay. We tested whether the proportion of patients with radiographic evidence of obliteration differed between treatment modalities using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

The overall median cost of treatment and interquartile range was $77,865 (49,566-107,448). Surgery with preoperative embolization was the costliest treatment at $91,948 (79,914-140,600), while radiosurgery was the least at $20,917 (13,915-35,583). In multi-predictor analyses, hemorrhage, Spetzler-Martin grade, and treatment type were significant predictors of cost. Patients who had surgery had significantly higher rates of obliteration compared with radiosurgery patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Hemorrhage, AVM grade, and treatment modality are significant cost determinants in AVM management. Surgery with preoperative embolization was the costliest treatment and radiosurgery the least; however, surgical cases had significantly higher rates of obliteration.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations of the basal ganglia and thalamus: an international multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the basal ganglia (BG) and thalamus are associated with elevated risks of both hemorrhage if left untreated and neurological morbidity after resection. Therefore, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become a mainstay in the management of these lesions, although its safety and efficacy remain incompletely understood. The aim of this retrospective multicenter cohort study was to evaluate the outcomes of SRS for BG and thalamic AVMs and determine predictors of successful endpoints and adverse radiation effects.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed data on patients with BG or thalamic AVMs who had undergone SRS at eight institutions participating in the International Gamma Knife Research Foundation (IGKRF) from 1987 to 2014. Favorable outcome was defined as AVM obliteration, no post-SRS hemorrhage, and no permanently symptomatic radiation-induced changes (RICs). Multivariable models were developed to identify independent predictors of outcome.

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised 363 patients with BG or thalamic AVMs. The mean AVM volume and SRS margin dose were 3.8 cm3 and 20.7 Gy, respectively. The mean follow-up duration was 86.5 months. Favorable outcome was achieved in 58.5% of patients, including obliteration in 64.8%, with rates of post-SRS hemorrhage and permanent RIC in 11.3% and 5.6% of patients, respectively. Independent predictors of favorable outcome were no prior AVM embolization (p = 0.011), a higher margin dose (p = 0.008), and fewer isocenters (p = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

SRS is the preferred intervention for the majority of BG and thalamic AVMs. Patients with morphologically compact AVMs that have not been previously embolized are more likely to have a favorable outcome, which may be related to the use of a higher margin dose.

Seizure control after radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations: a 25-year experience

OBJECTIVE

Seizures are the second-most common presenting symptom in patients with lobar arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). However, few studies have assessed the long-term effect of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) on seizure control. The authors of this study assess the outcome of SRS for these patients to identify prognostic factors associated with seizure control.

METHODS

Patients with AVM who presented with a history of seizure and underwent SRS at the authors' institution between 1987 and 2012 were retrospectively assessed. The total cohort included 155 patients with a mean follow-up of 86 months (range 6-295 months). Primary outcomes assessed were seizure frequency, antiepileptic drug regimen, and seizure freedom for 6 months prior to last follow-up.

RESULTS

Seizure-free status was achieved in 108 patients (70%), with an additional 23 patients (15%) reporting improved seizure frequency as compared to their pre-SRS status. The median time to seizure-free status was estimated to be 12 months (95% CI 0-27 months) as evaluated via Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The mean seizure frequency prior to SRS was 14.2 (95% CI 5.4-23.1) episodes per year. Although not all patients tried, the proportion of patients successfully weaned off all antiepileptic drugs was 18% (28/155 patients). On multivariate logistic regression, focal impaired awareness seizure type (also known as complex partial seizures) and superficial venous drainage were significantly associated with a decreased odds ratio for seizure-free status at last follow-up (OR 0.37 [95% CI 0.15-0.92] for focal impaired awareness seizures; OR 0.36 [95% CI 0.16-0.81] for superficial venous drainage). The effects of superficial venous drainage on seizure outcome were nonsignificant when excluding patients with < 2 years of follow-up. AVM obliteration did not correlate with long-term seizure freedom (p = 0.202, chi-square test).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that SRS improves long-term seizure control and increases the likelihood of being medication free, independently of AVM obliteration. Patients with focal impaired awareness seizures were less likely to obtain long-term seizure relief.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Unruptured Versus Ruptured Pediatric Brain Arteriovenous Malformations

Background and Purpose—

The effects of prior hemorrhage on stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) outcomes for pediatric arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are not well defined. The aim of this multicenter, retrospective cohort study is to compare the SRS outcomes for unruptured versus ruptured pediatric AVMs.

Methods—

The International Radiosurgery Research Foundation pediatric AVM database from 1987 to 2018 was reviewed retrospectively. Favorable outcome was defined as AVM obliteration, no post-SRS hemorrhage, and no permanently symptomatic radiation-induced changes. Associations between prior hemorrhage and outcomes were adjusted for baseline differences, inverse probability weights, and competing risks.

Results—

The study cohort comprised 153 unruptured and 386 ruptured AVMs. Favorable outcome was achieved in 48.4% and 60.4% of unruptured and ruptured AVMs, respectively (adjusted odds ratio, 1.353; P =0.190). Cumulative AVM obliteration probabilities were 51.2%, 59.4%, 64.2%, and 70.0% for unruptured and 61.0%, 69.3%, 74.0%, and 79.3% for ruptured AVMs at 4, 6, 8, and 10 years, respectively (subhazard ratio, 1.311; P =0.020). Cumulative post-SRS hemorrhage probabilities were 4.5%, 5.6%, 5.6%, and 9.8% for unruptured and 4.7%, 6.1%, 6.1%, and 10.6% for ruptured AVMs at 4, 6, 8, and 10 years, respectively (subhazard ratio, 1.086; P =0.825). Probabilities of AVM obliteration (adjusted subhazard ratio, 0.968; P =0.850) and post-SRS hemorrhage (adjusted subhazard ratio, 1.663; P =0.251) were comparable between the 2 cohorts after inverse probability weight adjustments. Symptomatic (15.8% versus 8.1%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.400; P =0.008) and permanent (9.2% versus 5.0%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.441; P =0.045) radiation-induced change were more common in unruptured AVMs.

Conclusions—

The overall outcomes after SRS for unruptured versus ruptured pediatric AVMs are comparable. However, symptomatic and permanent radiation-induced change occur more frequently in pediatric patients with unruptured AVMs.

Treatment Outcomes of Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Comparison of Radiosurgery and Endovascular Embolisation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Endovascular treatment (EVT) and stereotaxic gamma-knife radiosurgery (GKRS) can both effectively treat cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CSDAVF). This study compared the prognostic factors and treatment effectiveness of GKRS and EVT for different CSDAVF types.

METHODS

The charts of 200 patients undergoing GKRS and 105 patients undergoing EVT were reviewed for data on symptoms (e.g. orbital, cavernous, ocular, and cerebral). The CSDAVFs were classified into proliferative, restrictive, and late restrictive types. The prognostic factors for complete obliteration (CO) were evaluated in both the GKRS and EVT groups and the latent period to CO was measured. For statistical analysis χ²-tests were used to compare final CO rates for EVT and GKRS across the three CSDAVF types.

RESULTS

The EVT and cavernous symptoms were significant independent predictors of CO. The CO rate after EVT (97.9%) was significantly higher than that after GKRS (63.5%) for restrictive CSDAVFs (P < 0.001) but not for proliferative or late restrictive types. In the GKRS group, cavernous symptoms (hazard ratio, HR: 0.557) and target volume (HR: 0.853) predicted CO, but only target volume remained significant in multivariate analysis. In the EVT group, the latent period to CO was shortest for restrictive CSDAVFs (3.2 ± 1.6 months, P = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Angioarchitecture did not affect treatment outcomes. Cavernous symptoms were strongly associated with lower complete obliteration rates in the GKRS but not the EVT group. The EVT method remains the treatment of choice, especially for restrictive CSDAVFs; however, compared to EVT, GKRS had lower complication rates and similar therapeutic effects for proliferative type fistulas.

Susceptibility-Weighted Angiography for the Follow-Up of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations Treated with Stereotactic Radiosurgery

The criterion standard for assessing brain AVM obliteration postradiosurgery is DSA. To explore the value of susceptibility-weighted angiography, we followed 26 patients with brain AVMs treated by radiosurgery using susceptibility-weighted angiography and DSA. Studies were evaluated by 2 independent readers for residual nidi. Susceptibility-weighted angiography demonstrated good intermodality (κ = 0.71) and interobserver (κ = 0.64) agreement, and good sensitivity (85.7%) and specificity (85.7%). Susceptibility-weighted angiography is a useful radiation- and contrast material-free technique to follow-up brain AVM obliteration postradiosurgery.

Left Thalamus Arteriovenous Malformation Secondary to Radiation Therapy of Original Vermian Arteriovenous Malformation: Case Report

A 70-year-old gentleman with history of hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and right superior cerebellar aneurysm presented to the neurosurgery service in 2008 with vertigo. Diagnostic cerebral angiography performed that year demonstrated a vermian arteriovenous malformations (AVM). The patient underwent stereotactic proton beam radiosurgery, which resulted in a decrease in flow and size of the lesion, and the patient was lost to follow-up. Now at the age of 80, the patient presented with acute gait instability. Cerebral angiogram demonstrated his stable vermian AVM and a new 1.1 cm AVM nidus in the region of the left posterior thalamus. Although AVMs are often described as congenital lesions, there is a growing body of literature suggesting that AVMs can grow, spontaneously regress, and even arise de novo in response to some insult. Understanding what leads to the growth, remodeling, regression, and hemorrhage of AVMs is crucial in order to better direct therapeutic endeavors. We would argue that this patient's AVM is secondary to endothelial cell damage from radiation therapy. Radiation can cause endothelial cell injury and upregulation of factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor beta expression, which are implicated in AVM development pathways. We believe that this patient's new AVM is secondary to entrance radiation dosing affecting the thalamus during radiation therapy for the original vermian AVM.

[Immediate outcomes of microsurgical treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations in non-hemorrhagic patients]

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are some of the most frequent congenital abnormalities of the cerebral vascular system and usually occur at a young age. Given the fact that AVMs can manifest, in addition to hemorrhages, as symptomatic epilepsy (17-40%) that occurs more often at a young age and may lead to significant disability, investigation of this pathology remains topical. Particular attention has recently been paid to the management of AVM patients without clinical signs of hemorrhage at the time of pathology diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to optimize the management of patients with unruptured AVMs based on analysis of the immediate outcomes of microsurgical treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the immediate outcomes of microsurgical treatment of AVM patients hospitalized to the Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute in the period from 2009 to 2017. The patients included in the study met the following criteria: age over 18 years; microsurgical resection of AVM. The main exclusion criterion was a hemorrhage history confirmed by clinical data or verified by a neuroimaging study (MRI/CT). The study included 160 patients (58.1% males and 41.9% females) aged 18 to 67 years (mean, 33.5 years). According to the clinical course, patients with epileptic syndrome prevailed: 99 (61.9%) cases. Headaches occurred in 49 (30.6%) patients; 8 (5%) patients had asymptomatic AVMs; 4 (2.5%) patients had ischemic stroke. The surgical risk was assessed by using the Spetzler-Martin (S-M) scale: Grade I - 18 (11.3%) patients, Grade II - 71 (44.4%) patients, Grade III - 60 (37.5%) patients, and Grade IV - 11 (6.8%) patients. Direct surgery in patients with AVMs classified as S-M V was not planned.

RESULTS

Postoperative analysis revealed that 33 patients included in the study group in accordance with the above criteria had silent AVM hemorrhage that was confirmed only based on the intraoperative picture. The best surgical treatment outcomes were observed in patients with S-M I and II AVMs. The outcome scored 4 and 5 on the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was in 100% of cases in the S-M I group, 98.6% in the S-M II group, 86.7% in the S-M III group, and 81.8% in the S-M IV group. The relatively good outcomes of S-M IV AVM resection are explained by careful selection of patients for surgery. In general, good postoperative outcomes (GOS score of 4 and 5) were in 93.2% of patients. The main newly developed postoperative symptoms were visual impairments - visual field defects (64.7% of all complications). Postoperative mortality was 1.3%.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment is indicated for patients with unruptured AVMs and S-M I or II surgical risk, regardless of clinical manifestations. In other cases, the treatment approach depends on a number of risk factors.

The Effect of Flow-Related Aneurysms on Hemorrhagic Risk of Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations

BACKGROUND

Previous reports indicated an association between hemorrhagic presentation and flow-related aneurysms in arteriovenous malformation (AVM) patients. However, it remains unclear whether these flow-related aneurysms result in the hemorrhage of AVM.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize this hemorrhage risk using our institutional experience over 25 yr.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed records of patients at our institution diagnosed with AVM from 1990 to 2015. Patients without associated aneurysms (AVM only) and those with flow-related aneurysms (AVM-FA) were compared. Those with intranidal or unrelated aneurysms were excluded. Annual risk of AVM-related hemorrhage was calculated using the birth-to-treatment approach and compared using Poisson rate ratio test.

RESULTS

Among 526 patients, there were 457 AVM only patients and 69 with flow-related aneurysms. AVM-FA patients were older (P = .005). AVMs with flow-related aneurysms were more likely located in the cerebellar vermis and hemispheres (P = .023 and .001, respectively). Presence of flow-related aneurysms increased the risk of presentation with subarachnoid hemorrhage (P < .001). Interestingly, no significant differences in presenting hemorrhage due to AVM rupture were found (P > .356). The majority of aneurysms were untreated (69.5%), and only 8 (9.8%) had ruptured presentation. At follow-up (mean = 5.3 yr), patients with flow-related aneurysms were less likely to develop seizures (P = .004). The annual risk of AVM hemorrhage was 1.33% and 1.05% for AVM only patients and AVM-FA patients, respectively (P = .248).

CONCLUSION

Despite increased risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage at presentation, there was no increased likelihood of rupture in AVMs with flow-related aneurysms. More studies are warranted, as clarifying the competing risks of AVM vs aneurysm rupture may be critical in determining optimal treatment strategy.

Effect of treatment period on outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery for brain arteriovenous malformations: an international multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

The role of and technique for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the management of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have evolved over the past four decades. The aim of this multicenter, retrospective cohort study was to compare the SRS outcomes of AVMs treated during different time periods.

METHODS

The authors selected patients with AVMs who underwent single-session SRS at 8 different centers from 1988 to 2014 with follow-up ≥ 6 months. The SRS eras were categorized as early (1988-2000) or modern (2001-2014). Statistical analyses were performed to compare the baseline characteristics and outcomes of the early versus modern SRS eras. Favorable outcome was defined as AVM obliteration, no post-SRS hemorrhage, and no permanently symptomatic radiation-induced changes (RICs).

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised 2248 patients with AVMs, including 1584 in the early and 664 in the modern SRS eras. AVMs in the early SRS era were significantly smaller (p < 0.001 for maximum diameter and volume), and they were treated with a significantly higher radiosurgical margin dose (p < 0.001). The obliteration rate was significantly higher in the early SRS era (65% vs 51%, p < 0.001), and earlier SRS treatment period was an independent predictor of obliteration in the multivariate analysis (p < 0.001). The rates of post-SRS hemorrhage and radiological, symptomatic, and permanent RICs were not significantly different between the two groups. Favorable outcome was achieved in a significantly higher proportion of patients in the early SRS era (61% vs 45%, p < 0.001), but the earlier SRS era was not statistically significant in the multivariate analysis (p = 0.470) with favorable outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite considerable advances in SRS technology, refinement of AVM selection, and contemporary multimodality AVM treatment, the study failed to observe substantial improvements in SRS favorable outcomes or obliteration for patients with AVMs over time. Differences in baseline AVM characteristics and SRS treatment parameters may partially account for the significantly lower obliteration rates in the modern SRS era. However, improvements in patient selection and dose planning are necessary to optimize the utility of SRS in the contemporary management of AVMs.

Radiosurgery for Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations: An International Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The role of intervention in the management of unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) is controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze in a multicenter, retrospective cohort study, the outcomes following radiosurgery for unruptured AVMs and determine predictive factors.

METHODS

We evaluated and pooled AVM radiosurgery data from 8 institutions participating in the International Gamma Knife Research Foundation. Patients with unruptured AVMs and ≥12 mo of follow-up were included in the study cohort. Favorable outcome was defined as AVM obliteration, no postradiosurgical hemorrhage, and no permanently symptomatic radiation-induced changes.

RESULTS

The unruptured AVM cohort comprised 938 patients with a median age of 35 yr. The median nidus volume was 2.4 cm 3 , 71% of AVMs were located in eloquent brain areas, and the Spetzler-Martin grade was III or higher in 57%. The median radiosurgical margin dose was 21 Gy and follow-up was 71 mo. AVM obliteration was achieved in 65%. The annual postradiosurgery hemorrhage rate was 1.4%. Symptomatic and permanent radiation-induced changes occurred in 9% and 3%, respectively. Favorable outcome was achieved in 61%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, smaller AVM maximum diameter ( P = .001), the absence of AVM-associated arterial aneurysms ( P = .001), and higher margin dose ( P = .002) were found to be independent predictors of a favorable outcome. A margin dose ≥ 20 Gy yielded a significantly higher rate of favorable outcome (70% vs 36%; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Radiosurgery affords an acceptable risk to benefit profile for patients harboring unruptured AVMs. These findings justify further prospective studies comparing radiosurgical intervention to conservative management for unruptured AVMs.

[Microsurgical treatment of non-bleeding cerebral arteriovenous malformations]

Treatment of non-bleeding cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) causes a lot of controversy among neurosurgeons around the world. The most discussed issue is choosing the method and indications for a certain treatment option. Despite the accumulated data, including the results of randomized studies, there is no consensus on this issue among experts. The purpose of this review is to analyze current concepts of the management and reasonability of microsurgical treatment of non-bleeding cerebral AVMs based on the latest published studies.

Delayed cyst formation after stereotactic radiosurgery for brain arteriovenous malformations

OBJECTIVE

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a commonly employed treatment modality for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). However, due to the low frequency of delayed cyst formation after AVM SRS, as well as the prolonged time interval between treatment and its occurrence, the characteristics of post-SRS cyst formation are not well defined. Therefore, the aims of this retrospective cohort study are to determine the rate of cyst formation after SRS for AVMs, identify predictive factors, and evaluate the clinical sequelae of post-SRS cysts.

METHODS

The authors analyzed an SRS database for AVM patients who underwent SRS at the University of Virginia and identified those who developed post-SRS cysts. Statistical analyses were performed to determine predictors of post-SRS cyst formation and the effect of cyst formation on new or worsening seizures after SRS.

RESULTS

The study cohort comprised 1159 AVM patients treated with SRS; cyst formation occurred in 17 patients (post-SRS cyst rate of 1.5%). Compared with patients who did not develop post-SRS cysts, those with cyst formation were treated with a greater number of radiosurgical isocenters (mean 3.8 vs 2.8, p = 0.047), had a longer follow-up (mean 132 vs 71 months, p < 0.001), were more likely to develop radiological radiation-induced changes (RIC) (64.7% vs 36.1%, p = 0.021), and had a longer duration of RIC (57 vs 21 months, p < 0.001). A higher number of isocenters (p = 0.014), radiological RIC (p = 0.002), and longer follow-up (p = 0.034) were found to be independent predictors of post-SRS cyst formation in the multivariate analysis. There was a trend toward a significant association between cyst formation and new or worsening seizures in univariate analysis (p = 0.054).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with greater nidal complexity appear to be more prone to post-SRS cyst formation. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up for patients who have undergone AVM SRS, even after nidal obliteration is achieved. Post-SRS cysts may be epileptogenic, although seizure outcomes after AVM SRS are multifactorial.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for Spetzler-Martin Grade IV and V arteriovenous malformations: an international multicenter study

OBJECTIVE Due to the complexity of Spetzler-Martin (SM) Grade IV-V arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), the management of these lesions remains controversial. The aims of this multicenter, retrospective cohort study were to evaluate the outcomes after single-session stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for SM Grade IV-V AVMs and determine predictive factors. METHODS The authors retrospectively pooled data from 233 patients (mean age 33 years) with SM Grade IV (94.4%) or V AVMs (5.6%) treated with single-session SRS at 8 participating centers in the International Gamma Knife Research Foundation. Pre-SRS embolization was performed in 71 AVMs (30.5%). The mean nidus volume, SRS margin dose, and follow-up duration were 9.7 cm³, 17.3 Gy, and 84.5 months, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed to identify factors associated with post-SRS outcomes. RESULTS At a mean follow-up interval of 84.5 months, favorable outcome was defined as AVM obliteration, no post-SRS hemorrhage, and no permanently symptomatic radiation-induced changes (RIC) and was achieved in 26.2% of patients. The actuarial obliteration rates at 3, 7, 10, and 12 years were 15%, 34%, 37%, and 42%, respectively. The annual post-SRS hemorrhage rate was 3.0%. Symptomatic and permanent RIC occurred in 10.7% and 4% of the patients, respectively. Only larger AVM diameter (p = 0.04) was found to be an independent predictor of unfavorable outcome in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The rate of favorable outcome was significantly lower for unruptured SM Grade IV-V AVMs compared with ruptured ones (p = 0.042). Prior embolization was a negative independent predictor of AVM obliteration (p = 0.024) and radiologically evident RIC (p = 0.05) in the respective multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS In this multi-institutional study, single-session SRS had limited efficacy in the management of SM Grade IV-V AVMs. Favorable outcome was only achieved in a minority of unruptured SM Grade IV-V AVMs, which supports less frequent utilization of SRS for the management of these lesions. A volume-staged SRS approach for large AVMs represents an alternative approach for high-grade AVMs, but it requires further investigation.

Evaluation of obliteration of arteriovenous malformations after stereotactic radiosurgery with arterial spin labeling MR imaging

PURPOSE

Complete obliteration of treated arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can be diagnosed only by confirming the disappearance of arterio-venous (A-V) shunts with invasive catheter angiography. The authors evaluated whether non-invasive arterial spin labeling (ASL) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be used to diagnose the obliteration of AVMs facilitate the diagnosis of AVM obliteration after treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seven patients with a cerebral AVM treated by SRS were followed up with ASL images taken with a 3T-MR unit, and received digital subtraction angiography (DSA) after the AVM had disappeared on ASL images. Three patients among the seven received DSA also after the postradiosurgical AVM had disappeared on conventional MR images but A-V shunt was residual on ASL images. Four patients among the seven received contrast-enhanced (CE) MR imaging around the same period as DSA.

RESULTS

ASL images could visualize postradiosurgical residual A-V shunts clearly. In all seven patients, DSA after the disappearance of A-V shunts on ASL images demonstrated no evidence of A-V shunts. In all three patients, DSA after the AVM had disappeared on conventional MR images but not on ASL images demonstrated residual A-V shunt. CE MR findings of AVMs treated by SRS did not correspond with DSA findings in three out of four patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings of radiosurgically treated AVMs on ASL images corresponded with those on DSA. The results of this study suggest that ASL imaging can be utilized to follow up AVMs after SRS and to decide their obliteration facilitate to decide the precise timing of catheter angiography for the final diagnosis of AVM obliteration after SRS.

Volume-staged stereotactic radiosurgery for large intracranial arteriovenous malformations

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is an effective treatment option for intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM). However, the treatment of large AVMs (nidus volume ≥12cm³) with single-session SRS alone yields generally poor outcomes. Volume-staged SRS (VS-SRS) is a therapeutic strategy for large AVMs which seeks to avoid the disadvantages of single-session SRS, but reports regarding its efficacy remain limited. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to assess the outcomes of VS-SRS for large AVMs. We identified all AVM patients who underwent VS-SRS at our institution from 2000 to 2015 with ≥12months follow-up. Baseline and outcomes data were analyzed. A total of 12 patients were selected for the study cohort, with a median age of 30years. The median maximum AVM diameter and nidus volume were 4.3cm and 13.6cm³, respectively. The Spetzler-Martin grade was III and IV each in six AVMs (50%). All patients underwent VS-SRS in two stages, and the median margin dose was 17Gy for both VS-SRS procedures. The median time interval between the two procedures was three months. After a median radiologic follow-up duration of 39months, the median degree of AVM volume reduction (evaluable in nine patients) was 87% (range 12-99%). The rates of radiologically evident, symptomatic, and permanent radiation-induced changes were 58%, 25%, and 8%, respectively. There were no cases of post-SRS hemorrhage. VS-SRS substantially reduces the size of large AVMs. A potential role for VS-SRS may be to facilitate subsequent definitive intervention to obliterate a shrunken, residual nidus.

Linear Accelerator Stereotactic Radiosurgery of Central Nervous System Arteriovenous Malformations: A 15-Year Analysis of Outcome-Related Factors in a Single Tertiary Center

BACKGROUND

Linear accelerator stereotactic radiosurgery is one of the modalities available for the treatment of central nervous system arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The aim of this study was to describe our 15-year experience with this technique in a single tertiary center and the analysis of outcome-related factors.

METHODS

From 1998 to 2013, 195 patients were treated with linear accelerator-based radiosurgery; we conducted a retrospective study collecting patient- and AVM-related variables. Treatment outcomes were obliteration, posttreatment hemorrhage, symptomatic radiation-induced changes, and 3-year neurologic status. We also analyzed prognostic factors of each outcome and predictability analysis of 5 scales: Spetzler-Martin grade, Lawton-Young supplementary and Lawton combined scores, radiosurgery-based AVM score, Virginia Radiosurgery AVM Scale, and Heidelberg score.

RESULTS

Overall obliteration rate was 81%. Nidus diameter and venous drainage were predictive of obliteration (P < 0.05), ruptured status and previous embolization were not related to rate of obliteration, and low-grade AVMs had higher obliteration rates. Posttreatment hemorrhage incidence was 8.72%; nidus diameter was the only predictor (P = 0.05). Symptomatic radiation-induced changes occurred in 11.79% of patients and were significantly associated with unruptured status (P < 0.05). Treatment success as a composite measure was obtained in 70.77% of patients. Receiver operating characteristic curves were presented for each scoring system and outcome measure; best area under the curve was 0.687 for Lawton combined score in the obliteration outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In the long-term, linear accelerator-based radiosurgery is a useful, valid, effective, and safe modality for treatment of brain AVMs.

International multicenter cohort study of pediatric brain arteriovenous malformations. Part 2: Outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery

OBJECTIVE Pediatric patients (age < 18 years) harboring brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are burdened with a considerably higher cumulative lifetime risk of hemorrhage than adults. Additionally, the pediatric population was excluded from recent prospective comparisons of intervention versus conservative management for unruptured AVMs. The aims of this multicenter, retrospective cohort study are to analyze the outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery for unruptured and ruptured pediatric AVMs. METHODS We analyzed and pooled AVM radiosurgery data from 7 participating in the International Gamma Knife Research Foundation. Patients younger than 18 years of age who had at least 12 months of follow-up were included in the study cohort. Favorable outcome was defined as AVM obliteration, no post-radiosurgical hemorrhage, and no permanently symptomatic radiation-induced changes (RIC). The post-radiosurgery outcomes of unruptured versus ruptured pediatric AVMs were compared, and statistical analyses were performed to identify predictive factors. RESULTS The overall pediatric AVM cohort comprised 357 patients with a mean age of 12.6 years (range 2.8-17.9 years). AVMs were previously treated with embolization, resection, and fractionated external beam radiation therapy in 22%, 6%, and 13% of patients, respectively. The mean nidus volume was 3.5 cm³, 77% of AVMs were located in eloquent brain areas, and the Spetzler-Martin grade was III or higher in 59%. The mean radiosurgical margin dose was 21 Gy (range 5-35 Gy), and the mean follow-up was 92 months (range 12-266 months). AVM obliteration was achieved in 63%. During a cumulative latency period of 2748 years, the annual post-radiosurgery hemorrhage rate was 1.4%. Symptomatic and permanent radiation-induced changes occurred in 8% and 3%, respectively. Favorable outcome was achieved in 59%. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the absence of prior AVM embolization (p = 0.001) and higher margin dose (p < 0.001) were found to be independent predictors of a favorable outcome. The rates of favorable outcome for patients treated with a margin dose ≥ 22 Gy vs < 22 Gy were 78% (110/141 patients) and 47% (101/216 patients), respectively. A margin dose ≥ 22 Gy yielded a significantly higher probability of a favorable outcome (p < 0.001). The unruptured and ruptured pediatric AVM cohorts included 112 and 245 patients, respectively. Ruptured AVMs had significantly higher rates of obliteration (68% vs 53%, p = 0.005) and favorable outcome (63% vs 51%, p = 0.033), with a trend toward a higher incidence of post-radiosurgery hemorrhage (10% vs 4%, p = 0.07). The annual post-radiosurgery hemorrhage rates were 0.8% for unruptured and 1.6% for ruptured AVMs. CONCLUSIONS Radiosurgery is a reasonable treatment option for pediatric AVMs. Obliteration and favorable outcomes are achieved in the majority of patients. The annual rate of latency period hemorrhage after radiosurgery for both ruptured and unruptured pediatric AVM patients conveys a significant risk until the nidus is obliterated.

Dosimetric effects of Onyx embolization on Gamma Knife arteriovenous malformation dose distributions

OBJECTIVE

Patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) subsequent to embolization suffer from elevated local failure rates and differences in adverse radiation effects. Onyx is a common embolic material for AVMs. Onyx is formulated with tantalum, a high atomic number (Z = 73) element that has been investigated as a source of dosimetric uncertainty contributing to the less favorable clinical results. However, prior studies have not modeled the complicated anatomical and beam geometries characteristic of GKRS. This study investigated the magnitude of dose perturbation that can occur due to Onyx embolization using clinically realistic anatomical and Gamma Knife beam models.

METHODS

Leksell GammaPlan (LGP) was used to segment the AVM nidus and areas of Onyx from postcontrast stereotactic MRI for 7 patients treated with GKRS postembolization. The resulting contours, skull surface, and clinically selected dose distributions were exported from LGP in DICOM-RT (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine–radiotherapy) format. Isocenter locations and dwell times were recorded from the LGP database. Contours were converted into 3D mesh representations using commercial and in-house mesh-editing software. The resulting data were imported into a Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation engine (Pegasos, Elekta Instruments AB) with a beam geometry for the Gamma Knife Perfexion. The MC-predicted dose distributions were calculated with Onyx assigned manufacturer-reported physical constants (MC-Onyx), and then compared with corresponding distributions in which Onyx was reassigned constants for water (MC-water). Differences in dose metrics were determined, including minimum, maximum, and mean dose to the AVM nidus; selectivity index; and target coverage. Combined differences in dose magnitude and distance to agreement were calculated as 3D Gamma analysis passing rates using tolerance criteria of 0.5%/0.5 mm, 1.0%/1.0 mm, and 3.0%/3.0 mm.

RESULTS

Overall, the mean percentage differences in dose metrics for MC-Onyx relative to MC-water were as follows; all data are reported as mean (SD): minimum dose to AVM = −0.7% (1.4%), mean dose to AVM = 0.1% (0.2%), maximum dose to AVM = 2.9% (5.0%), selectivity = 0.1% (0.2%), and coverage = −0.0% (0.2%). The mean percentage of voxels passing at each Gamma tolerance were as follows: 99.7% (0.1%) for 3.0%/3.0 mm, 98.2% (0.7%) for 1.0%/1.0 mm, and 52.1% (4.4%) for 0.5%/0.5 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Onyx embolization appears to have a detectable effect on the delivered dose distribution. However, the small changes in dose metrics and high Gamma passing rates at 1.0%/1.0 mm tolerance suggest that these changes are unlikely to be clinically significant. Additional sources of delivery and biological uncertainty should be investigated to determine the root cause of the observed less favorable postembolization GKRS outcomes.

History and Technical Approaches and Considerations for Ablative Surgery for Epilepsy

The history of epilepsy surgery is generally noted to have begun in 1886 with Victor Horsley's first report of craniotomies for posttraumatic epilepsy. With increased understanding of brain function and development of electroencephalographic methods, nonlesional epilepsy began to be treated with resection in the 1950s. Methodological improvements and increased understanding of pathophysiology followed, and the advent of stereotaxy and ablative technology in the 1960s and 1970s heralded a new era of minimally invasive, targeted procedures for lesional and nonlesional epilepsy. Current techniques combine stereotactic methods, improved ablative technologies, and electroencephalographic methods for a multidisciplinary approach to the neurosurgical treatment of epilepsy.

Worse Outcomes After Repeat vs Initial Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

BACKGROUND:

Incompletely obliterated cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) after initial treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can be treated with a repeat session of SRS. However, the relative efficacy of repeat vs initial SRS is not well specified.

OBJECTIVE:

To retrospectively compare in matched cohorts the outcomes of repeat vs initial SRS for the treatment of matched cohorts with angioarchitecturally similar AVMs.

METHODS:

We studied a data set of patients with AVM treated with radiosurgery during the period spanning 1989 to 2013. Patients with AVM who underwent repeat SRS with radiologic follow-up of ≥2 years or nidus obliteration were identified for the study and matched, in a 1:1 fashion that was blinded to outcome, to patients with previously untreated AVMs who underwent initial SRS. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the outcomes after repeat vs initial SRS.

RESULTS:

The matching approach resulted in 84 patients for the repeat and the initial SRS cohort (mean margin doses, 20.7 and 20.9 Gy, respectively; P =.74). In the repeat SRS cohort, obliteration was achieved in 67%; the radiologic, symptomatic, and permanent radiation-induced change rates were 35%, 10%, and 4%, respectively; and the post-SRS hemorrhage rate was 3.1%/y. Compared with the initial SRS cohort, the repeat SRS cohort had significantly lower obliteration rates (P =.04) and higher post-SRS hemorrhage rates (P =.04). The radiation-induced change rates of the 2 cohorts were not significantly different.

CONCLUSION:

Repeat SRS yields considerably poorer outcomes than initial SRS for angioarchitecturally comparable AVMs. Further studies in AVM radiobiology and vascular structure are necessary to elucidate this potentially differential response.

Combined Embolization and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

In a study of 46 patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) the value of combining embolization and gamma knife radiosurgery was assessed. In 35 patients with large grade III to V AVMs (Spetzler-Martin system) staged combined treatment was planned. In 11 patients, radiosurgery complemented embolization for a residual AVM. The number of embolization sessions ranged from 1 to 7 (median 2). Twenty-six patients needed multiple embolization sessions. In 28 patients the grade of AVMs decreased as a result of embolization. In 16 patients collateral feeding vessels developed after embolization which made delineation of the residual nidus difficult. The time lag between the last embolization and radiosurgery ranged from 1 to 24 months (median 4). Nineteen of 35 large grade III to V AVMs were possible to treat by radiosurgery following embolization. In the 46 patients complications occurred in 9 from embolization and in 2 from radiosurgery. Two patients had transient and 9 had permanent neurologic deficits. It is concluded that embolization facilitates radiosurgery for some large AVMs and therefore this combined treatment has a role in the management of AVMs.

Radiosurgery following Embolisation and/or Surgery of Brain AVM's

A series of 45 patients who have undergone combined treatment for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) is presented. All patients underwent additional radiosurgery after endovascular and/or surgical treatment. Stereotactic radiosurgical treatment using the Gamma knife has been available in our institution since 1992.

The treatment strategy for brain AVM's has changed since that time. The possibility for total cure of partially embolised AVM's, where other treatment options had been exhausted, increased with adjunctive radiosurgery. Complex or giant AVM's in eloquent areas can now be treated using radiosurgery after embolisation and/or microsurgery, with minor risk of neurological deficit.

In all 45 patients treated since September 1992 at the University of Vienna, embolisation was performed to reduce the size of the nidus in order to facilitate surgical resection or radiosurgical treatment.

In 37 patients radiosurgery was performed after endovascular treatment only, and in 8 patients radiosurgery was performed after embolisation and surgery. All AVM's were classified according to Spetzler's Grading System. 31 patients (68.9%) were classified as Grade 3 or 4. Two patients (4.5%) were classified as Grade 5.

In a mean follow up time of 16 months (range 2–40), there were 15 complete obliterations and 2 patients with unexpected residual AVM after two years.

Of patients who required staged radiosurgical therapy, 12 have been followed for less than two years after their final procedure. In an additional 12 patients the follow-up period is less than 12 months. 4 patients were lost to follow up. There is a morbidity of 8.8% and no mortality in this patient group.