Radiosurgery in intracranial arteriovenous malformations. II

The results of a follow-up study regarding the obliteration of cerebral arteriovenous malformations using stereotactically directed gamma rays are presented. The 31 patients had 1-5 follow-up examinations during a period from 3 months to 5 years. It is seen that when technical, medical or psychosocial contraindications prevent direct intracranial surgery, radio-surgery is an efficient alternative. Radiating only some of multiple feeders resulted in therapeutic failure but radiosurgery was successful if the AVM was completely covered by the beam and an appropriate dose was given. (K.F.)