Spontaneous regression of brain arteriovenous malformations--a clinical study and a systematic review of the literature

Dennis R. Buis, René van den Berg, Geert Lycklama, H. Bart van der Worp, Clemens M. F. Dirven, W. Peter Vandertop

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Complete spontaneous obliteration of a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare event, with 67 angiographically proven cases in the world literature. We present a new case and a systematic literature review to determine possible mechanisms underlying this unusual phenomenon. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: One patient with a brain AVM was referred for radiosurgical treatment. Shortly before treatment however, complete spontaneous regression occurred. This patient had experienced a hemorrhage in the months before referral. RESULTS: We found 38 articles in which 67 cases of complete and spontaneous regression of a brain AVM were presented. Male to female ratio was 1.2, with a mean age of 37 years (range 1-81). Regression occurred in 72% without new neurological events. Median size of the nidus was 2 cm (range 1-7). There was a single arterial feeder in 46 % and a single draining vein in 59%. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous regression of a brain AVM is the result of multiple interacting factors. Intracranial hemorrhage and the presence of a single draining vein seem to play a major role in this process
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1375-1382
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of neurology
Volume251
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2004

Keywords

  • Cerebral Angiography/methods
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations/diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiosurgery/methods
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Review Literature as Topic

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