Radiotherapy of dural arteriovenous malformation in the cavernous sinus

Six patients with dural arteriovenous malformation (DAVM) in the cavernous sinus were treated by irradiation. The region of the abnormal vascular network was irradiated with a 10 MV linear accelerator; the total dose given ranged from 3,200 to 5,100 cGy (150-200 cGy per day, 750-1,000 cGy per week). All patients responded favorably to the treatment, with three of the six having no residual symptoms or signs of disease. Postradiotherapy angiography confirmed the complete disappearance of the shunts in two of the three patients. No significant side effects were observed during the follow-up period, which ranged from 10 months to four years. Radiotherapy is considered to be a useful treatment method for DAVM, especially for those patients having shunts from the meningeal branches of the internal carotid artery.