Stereotactic radiation therapy of intracranial arteriovenous malformations

Twenty-six patients with large intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM), not suited for open surgery or radiosurgery, have been treated by fractionated stereotactic radiation therapy using a linear accelerator. The preliminary results are based on follow-up angiography one and a half years after treatment, and in 5 cases also 5 years after treatment. In 2 cases a complete obliteration of the AVMs has occurred, and in the majority of the remaining cases a reduction of the size of the lesion has been obtained. Further development of the method is needed in order to improve the results. Today treatment with this technique is only recommended in cases which cannot be treated with other methods.