Abstract.
Spontaneous regression of cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is rare and poorly understood. We reviewed the clinical and angiographic findings in patients who had spontaneous regression of cerebral AVMs to determine whether common features were present. The clinical and angiographic findings of four cases from our series and 29 cases from the literature were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical and angiographic features analyzed were: age at diagnosis, initial presentation, venous drainage pattern, number of draining veins, location of the AVM, number of arterial feeders, clinical events during the interval period to thrombosis, and interval period to spontaneous thrombosis. Common clinical and angiographic features of spontaneous regression of cerebral AVMs are: intracranial hemorrhage as an initial presentation, small AVMs, and a single draining vein. Spontaneous regression of cerebral AVMs can not be predicted by clinical or angiographic features, therefore it should not be considered as an option in cerebral AVM management, despite its proven occurrence.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Electronic Publication
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lee, S., Vilela, P., Willinsky, R. et al. Spontaneous regression of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: clinical and angiographic analysis with review of the literature. Neuroradiology 44, 11–16 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002340100702
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002340100702