Intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) allows intraoperative assessment of outcome of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM). This study reports on 21 patients with AVMs in eloquent areas of the brain extirpated between July 1995 to March 1998. Extirpation was always followed by intraoperative DSA. Intraoperative angiography disclosed an occult residual nidus in 4 cases (19%). Complete extirpation of the AVM was achieved in all cases. Following surgery the neurological condition improved in 15 cases (71%), remained unchanged in 5 (24%), and worsened in 1. There were no secondary postoperative haemorrhages, nor complications related to the angiography. These results indicate that intraoperative DSA should be considered in the course of surgical treatment of cerebral AVMs in eloquent areas of the brain.