Endovascular embolization treatment for cerebral arteriovenous malformation

Objective To find out the clinical significance of endovascular embolization in the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Methods Clinically 37 patients were treated by endovascular embolization with NBCA and/or ONYX as embolic materials, followed by γ-knife therapy in 11 patients of them. Results After endovascular embolization, anatomical cure was achieved in 6 cases, more than 90% disappearance of the malformations in size in 11 cases, 70%~90% disappearance in 17 and less than 70% disappearance in 3. 2 cases of the group appeared periusion pressure-induced cerebral swelling, and other 2 cases suffered from hemorrhage after embolization. Conclusion Endovascular embolization is a safe and reliable method for treating AVM. In regard to some large AVMs or ones situated at important functional areas, endovascular embolization combined with surgery or γ- knife is an effective method for AVM with a high cure rate and a low morbiditv and mortalitv.