The diagnosis and treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations

  Cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a congenital vascular malformation caused by abnormal vascular development during the embryonic period, in which there are no capillaries between the internal cerebral arteries and veins and a variable number of fistulas are formed. The etiology is generally considered to be due to impaired venous development during the embryonic period.  More than half of the cases develop between the ages of 16 and 35, and the onset is sudden, often during physical activity or emotional stress. Hemorrhage is the most common symptom, accounting for 52-77% of cases; some patients have seizures, mostly grand mal or focal seizures, which can be the first symptom or can occur with hemorrhage or hydrocephalus; more than half of the patients have a history of prolonged headache, similar to migraine, which is limited to one side and can resolve on its own, and the headache is more severe than usual with hemorrhage and can be accompanied by vomiting; a small number of patients may A small number of patients have progressive neurological dysfunction, mainly motor or sensory dysfunction.  Cerebral angiography is the most important method to diagnose AVM, which can show the malformed vascular mass and its blood supplying arteries and draining veins, and is decisive for the diagnosis and treatment of AVM. MRI is almost 100% accurate for the diagnosis of AVM, and CT scan can also help in the diagnosis. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound, cranial X-ray plain film, and EEG can also assist in the examination.  The main goals of AVM treatment are to prevent bleeding, remove hematoma, improve blood theft and control epilepsy. Surgical resection: Total AVM resection is the most reasonable treatment method to remove the malformed vascular masses at risk of hemorrhage, eliminate the source of blood theft, correct cerebral hemodynamic disturbances, improve blood supply to brain tissues, and reduce the occurrence of epilepsy; especially for small AVMs located in superficial, non-functional areas. The artery. Cutting off the main blood supply is one of the most important measures to reduce bleeding and make the procedure go smoothly.  (2) Separation of the vascular malformation mass, requiring minimal removal of brain tissue.  (3) Ligation and dissection of the main drainage vein.  (4) Complete hemostasis.  2.Endovascular treatment: The application of microspheres, wire segments, microspring coils, NBCA and ONYX gel embolization of AVM through super-selective cannulation has made a qualitative leap in the endovascular treatment of AVM.  3.Radiation therapy: Gamma knife therapy is preferred, especially for small and medium-sized AVMs located in functional areas and deep, postoperative or residual after embolization or AVMs with poor systemic condition that cannot tolerate surgery. 4.Conservative treatment 5.Conservative treatment: For large, highly graded AVMs, it is suggested that it is difficult to obtain satisfactory results regardless of the treatment and should be strictly followed up if there is no great risk of bleeding.