Spinal arteriovenous malformations: a personal review

This is a review of my personal series of 76 operated cases of spinal arteriovenous malformations. The anatomy of the lesions in my series is compared to other large series, including the National Institutes of Health study of 81 cases, Symon's 60 cases, Pia's 161 cases and Berenstein's 81 cases. My personal opinions regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of these lesions is presented. My progressive changes in approach to diagnosis and treatment over the 25-year period are reviewed, as are the results.