The treatment of dural AVM by embolization with aron alpha (ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate)

The authors report four cases of dural arteriovenous malformation (AVM) treated by a modified technique of embolization. Three cases had posterior fossa dural AVM and one had bilateral supratentorial dural AVM. The authors think that the best way to treat dural AVM is to close its nidus completely. This could be achieved by a safe and easy technique of embolization. The material used for embolization should intimately adhere to the vascular network and should not become fragmented. We used aron alpha (Ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate). This is a biological glue and it sets in a solid membranous form instantaneously on coming into the contact with an ionic medium. It does not get fragmented. Aron alpha was injected into the nidus of the AVM through a cannula inserted only into the main feeding artery in four cases of dural AVM reported here. Postoperative angiography showed complete obliteration of the AVM's, they did not fill either from the treated artery or from the untreated feeding arteries. The technique is easy and safe. There was no operative or postoperative complication. All the patients have remained asymptomatic to date, i.e. 2, 2, 6 and 7 1/2 years after the procedure.