Long-term follow-up of radiosurgically treated arteriovenous malformations in children: report of nine cases.

Long-term follow-up results of nine children treated for cerebral arteriovenous malformation with a gamma unit are presented. Complete nidus obliteration was angiographically confirmed in six cases and significant decreases in arteriovenous malformation size were observed in the other three. There were no radiation-related deteriorations in physical or mental development. In seven patients who underwent endocrinological examination more than 3 years after irradiation, five were normal and the other two showed only low serum adrenocorticotropic hormone levels, which, however, did not necessitate replacement therapy. Neurodiagnostic imaging follow-up studies revealed no radiation-induced lesions in any of the nine cases.