Treatment of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations with Hemodynamic Aneurysms: A Series of 131 Consecutive Cases

The natural history of hemodynamic aneurysms (HAs) associated with brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains controversial, with no single approach to treatment. The purpose of this study was to justify preventive treatment tactics for HAs that pose an increased risk of rupture based on hemodynamic studies demonstrating hypertension in the afferent bed after AVM exclusion.

This retrospective analysis included 131 of 1740 patients (8%) with brain AVMs and at least 1 aneurysm treated at Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute between 2000 and 2016. Treatment consisted of microsurgery, endovascular interventions, or a combination of modalities. Patients were evaluated with the modified Rankin Scale before and after treatment.

A total of 205 aneurysms were discovered. Multiple HAs were found in 46 patients (35%), and were significantly more often associated with posterior fossa AVMs; in addition, most were distally located. There was no difference in the incidence of hemorrhage between proximal and distal HAs. Microsurgical treatment was marked by high radicalism; 85% of HAs and 94% of AVMs were totally excluded based on control studies. In 10 cases, aneurysms were found after AVM removal, including 4 de novo aneurysms. In 1 case, the aneurysm regressed after AVM treatment. The mortality rate was 2.3%.

Preoperative imaging should be carefully examined for associated aneurysms before and after surgical treatment. Our data suggests that HA exclusion, either as the first step or simultaneously with AVM treatment, is most beneficial to patients.