Giant intracranial arteriovenous malformation - a case report

Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) occur in 0.5-1 % of the population. An arteriovenous malformation is a tangled cluster of vessels, in which arteries connect directly to veins with no intervening capillary bed. Because an intracranial hemorrhage, or, rarely, a seizure are the first clinical symptoms of AVMs, they are the most dangerous congenital vascular malformations. We report a case of a 37-year-old woman with a giant intracranial arteriovenous malformation, who complained of headache attacks. The lesion was diagnosed in computed tomography and computed angiotomography of the head. The first imaging study in patients with suspected AVM is usually CT or angio-CT. These studies are good for depicting an AVM, and they are relatively noninvasive. However, angiography used for the diagnosis and planned treatment is invasive. The authors present also the options for therapy. (author)