Nidus Compacity Determined by Semi-Automated Segmentation is a Strong Quantitative Predictor of Brain Arterio-Venous...

A compact nidus is a well-known feature of good outcome after treatment in brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM). This item, included in the "Supplementary AVM grading system" by Lawton, is subjectively evaluated on DSA. The present study aimed to assess whether quantitative nidus compacity along with other angio-architectural bAVM features were predictive of angiographic cure or the occurrence of procedure-related complications.

Retrospective analysis of 83 patients prospectively collected data base between 2003 to 2018 having underwent digital subtraction 3D rotation angiography (3D-RA) for pre-therapeutic assessment of bAVM. Angio-architectural features were analyzed. Nidus compacity was measured with a dedicated segmentation tool. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to test the association between these factors and complete obliteration or complication.

Compacity was the only significant factor associated with complete obliteration in our predictive model using logistic multivariate regression; the area under the curve for compacity predicting complete obliteration was excellent (0.82; 95% CI 0.71-0.90; p < 0.0001). The threshold value maximizing the Youden index was a compacity > 23% (sensitivity 97%; specificity 52%; 95% CI 85.1-99.9; p = 0.055). No angio-architectural factor was associated with the occurrence of a complication.

Nidus high compacity quantitatively measured on 3D-RA, using a dedicated segmentation tool is predictive of bAVM cure. Further investigation and prospective studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.