Abstract
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are high-flow vascular anomalies that have demonstrated
a very high recurrence rate after endovascular treatment, surgical treatment, or a
combination of both. Surgical treatments have shown good response when they are small
and well localized but a poor response when diffuse. A better understanding of the
nature of the lesion has led to a better response rate and a safer treatment for these
patients. This has been accomplished through a detailed understanding of the angioarchitecture
of the lesion, enabling a tailored approach in reaching and targeting the nidus of
the AVM with different liquid embolic agents, more specifically ethanol. Flow reduction
techniques help in exposing the nidus to sclerosant agents. A clinical classification,
the Schobinger classification, will help determine the appropriate time to start or
to pursue therapy.
Keywords
arteriovenous malformation - vascular anomalies - nidus destruction - embolization
- ethanol injection
