A Clinical Study of One Hundred and Twenty Six Cases of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

Abstract

One hundred twenty six cases of cerebral arteriovenous malformation(AVM), admitted to the neurosurgical department of Seoul National University Hospital between January 1973 and June 1987, were evaluated retrospectively with reference to clinical features, epidemiology and the outcome of surgical or conservative treatment. The peak incidence was at the third decade and the presenting symptoms were hemorrhage, seizure and headache in order of frequency. Hemorrhage was more frequent in the second and third decades while seizure was more frequent in the third and fourth decades. Small AVM:s, less than 2 ern in diameter, were presented with hemorrhage more frequently than seizure, while large AVM's, more than 6 cm in diameter, were presented with seizure more frequently. The clinical outcome was better in adults than in children and patients presented with seizure showed better outcomes than patients with hemorrhage. The patients presented by hemorrhage had poor outcomes with conservative treatment and therefore surgical treatment was needed in these patients. Surgical treatment was also helpful for the patients presented by seizure.