Optimal Low-dose Radiosurgery Combined with and without Intervention for Unruptured Arteriovenous Malformations: A Long-term Follow-up Study

• Published in: Nōshotchū no geka Vol. 34; no. 5; pp. 352 - 354
• Main Authors: INOUE, Hiroshi K., NAITOU, Isao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Japanese Society on Surgery for Cerebral Stroke 2006
• Subjects: indication; long-term follow-up; optimal low-dose; radiosurgery; unruptured arteriovenous malformation
• ISSN: 0914-5508; 1880-4683
• DOI: 10.2335/scs.34.352

Treatment indication for unruptured arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain was investigated based on long-term results of low-dose Gamma Knife (GK) surgery. Thirty-nine patients with unruptured AVMs treated with GK surgery were followed more than 7 years. These AVMs were found due to seizure and steal symptoms in 22 and 4 patients, respectively, and incidentally in 13. Embolization was performed in 6 patients before GK surgery. Total obliteration was obtained in 83.3% after initial treatment and 95.8% after additional treatment. Bleeding before total obliteration occurred in 2 patients and adverse effect on the internal capsule in 1. It is concluded that low-dose GK surgery is safe and effective for the treatment of unruptured AVMs, especially symptomatic AVMs in functional areas.