Aneurysms of spinal arteries associated with intramedullary arteriovenous malformations. II. Results of AVM endovascular treatment and hemodynamic considerations.

PURPOSE To evaluate the changes occurring in spinal aneurysm (SA) size related to modification of endovascularly treated AVMs.

METHODS Fourteen patients with an intramedullary AVM and associated SA underwent endovascular treatment of their AVM with particles. Embolization sessions numbered from one to 14 (mean five) in each patient.

RESULTS Four patients had SAs with size changes mirroring those of the AVM with embolization: these decreased in size or disappeared after AVM reduction or cure and increased or recurred after AVM recanalization. A second group of patients had SAs that remained unchanged despite AVM changes (six of seven of these were in patients with metameric angiomatosis).

CONCLUSIONS Results in the first group lend support to the hemodynamic theory of associated aneurysm formation. On the other hand, aneurysms that remained unchanged probably are not AVM flow-related and could be an expression of an extensive vascular disorder such as metameric angiomatosis; however, hemodynamic and developmental factors could be concurrent.