Arteriovenous malformation in children.

A retrospective study was carried out on 39 patients, all under the age of 16, who suffered from intracerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM). All had unilateral lesions except for 1 who had bilateral AVMs. The incidence, age, sex distribution, and symptomatology are discussed. Surgical extirpation was carried out if possible after assessment by angiography and computed tomography. Inoperable cases were managed conservatively and followed up. The possibility that AVMs grow was demonstrated. Based on the promising results of the cases operated upon, it is strongly believed that total surgical excision is the treatment of choice. The importance of a microsurgical approach is stressed.