Endovascular approaches to pial arteriovenous malformations.

Endovascular approaches to arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are often necessary to define and help treat these often complex lesions. Angiography provides important information to help plan surgical or radiosurgical approaches. Modern embolization techniques allow AVMs to be treated with the goals of making surgery safer and easier, eliminating high-risk features in patients with AVMs who are otherwise not candidates for treatment, and even potentially curing the patient of the lesion. Liquid embolic agents have significantly advanced what is possible with endovascular treatment of AVMs.