Digital intravenous subtraction angiography of intracranial arteriovenous malformations.

Twenty-one intracranial arteriovenous malformations (17 pial, 3 dural, 1 mixed) have been studied by digital intravenous subtraction angiography (DIVA). A comparison with conventional arteriography has been performed. In this series DIVA was 100% diagnostic for AVM. However DIVA missed some small arterial pedicles (1 lenticulostriate, 1 thalamoperforating, 1 anterior choroidal artery and 2 pharyngeal arteries). Sectorial analysis of AVM needs selective arteriography. DIVA is a good method for screening and follow-up of intracranial AVM, but selective arteriography is often still necessary to complete the pre-operative evaluation.