Treatment of intramedullary arteriovenous malformations of the spinal cord.

SUMMARY: We retrospectively reviewed our treatment results for spinal intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Fifteen consecutive patients were included in this syudy. Five patient underwent particulate embolization. Surgery was performed in ten patients (including two patient who were treated embolization initially). Five patients, at the beginning of our experience, underwent radical excision of the nidus via the posterior myelotomy. Recent five patients underwent interruption of the feeding pedicles on the surface of the spinal cord. Especially when arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) or aneurysms were demonstrated, accurate obliteration of them were performed. Four patients, including two with residual AVM after the surgery, underwent irradiation therapy. Anatomically, four AVMs disappeared completely and the other 11 patients have a residual lesions after the treatment. Clinically, three patients improved, six remained unchanged, and six worsened. The causes of neurological deterioration after the treatment were technical complication of embolization in one patient and surgical manipulation in five. There was no patient who experienced hemorrhage during the followup period ranged from 6 months to 17 years, with a mean of 7.5 years. In conclusion, particulate embolization should be considered as the first choice of treatment if feasible. Surgical treatment is indicated for the dangerous anatomical features such as AVFs or aneurysms.