[Cryosurgery of cerebral arteriovenous aneurysms]

The use of stereotaxic cryothrombosis is sparing and sufficiently safe for the management of arteriovenous aneurysms of the brain. On the basis of experience in performing 21 operations on 15 patients, groups of patients for whom the method is recommended are distinguished (with an aneurysm no larger than 6 cm in diameter and up to 35 cm3 in volume). The method is especially promising in the treatment of small deep lying anteriovenous aneurysms. In large aneurysms the considerable blood flow makes it impossible to produce a sufficient hypothermal effect.