Arterio-venous malformation indicated for surgery as glioma after computer tomography

In a patient with hemorrhage from a large arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the area of the occipital and parietal lobe after examination by computer tomography (CT) the diagnosis of hemorrhage into a malignant tumour was established. Angiography was not performed. The patient with the incorrect diagnosis underwent an urgent operation. The AVM was radically and successfully removed. On the example of another patient the authors provide evidence that CT in hemorrhagic as well as non hemorrhagic AVM may lead to different incorrect aetiological diagnoses. A conclusion based solely on the CT examination may cause an erroneous and dangerous indication for conservative or surgical treatment. With CT a clinical analysis and correct indication for angiographic examination are therefore also important. This applies in particular when needle biopsy or operation are recommended. (author)