Endovascular treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations

Treatment of arteriovenous malformations of the central nervous system requires a multidisciplinary approach with input from vascular neurosurgeons, endovascular interventionalists, and radiation oncologists. Treatment paradigms based on a thorough understanding of the natural history of the lesion and the cumulative risks of multimodality treatment maximize the likelihood of a positive outcome. This article outlines the role of endovascular embolization in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations with specific emphasis on decision making during treatment planning. Technical considerations when treating arteriovenous malformations are discussed, including the choice of embolic agents, potential intraprocedural and periprocedural complications, and postprocedural management of patients.