Stereotactic Radiosurgery or Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Arteriovenous Malformation

-BACKGROUND: The best management for AVM, partic- -larly high-grade ones and those that have been ruptured before, is still unknown. Data from prospective data lacks support for the best approach.-METHODS: We retrospectively review patients with AVM at a single institution that were treated with radiation or a combination of radiation and embolization. These pa-tients were divided into two groups based on radiation fractionation: SRS and fSRS.-RESULTS: One-hundred and thirty-five (135) patients were first assessed and 121 met study criteria. Mean age at treatment was 30.5 years, and most patients were male. The groups were otherwise balanced, except for nidus size. SRS group had smaller lesions (P > 0.005). SRS cor-relates to better chance of nidus occlusion and lesser chance of retreatment. Complications such as radio-necrosis (5%) and bleeding after nidus occlusion (1 patient) were rare. -CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic radiosurgery plays an important role on the treatment of AVM. Whenever possible, SRS should be preferred. Data from prospective trials about larger and previously ruptured lesions are needed.

Automated summary

This study retrospectively reviewed AVM patients treated with radiation or a combination of radiation and embolization. The results showed that stereotactic radiosurgery plays an important role in AVM treatment and should be preferred whenever possible.