Pediatric intracranial arteriovenous malformations: a single-center experience
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Updated: Jan 15, 2026
Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
Melissa A LoPresti1,2, Vijay M Ravindra1,2, Monika Pyarali1,2
11Division of Neurosurgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston; and.
Insights
Pediatric intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) show good outcomes with surgery for low-grade and non-surgery for high-grade AVMs. Recurrence rates are high, necessitating further research into prevention strategies for pediatric AVMs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
- Vascular Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a significant cause of intracranial hemorrhage in children.
- Understanding treatment outcomes and recurrence factors is crucial for managing pediatric AVMs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review a single-center experience with pediatric AVMs.
- To identify factors contributing to AVM recurrence.
- To explore areas for treatment improvement in pediatric AVM management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients aged 0-18 years with AVMs (2005-2018).
- Collection and analysis of demographic, clinical, and radiographic data.
- Comparison of outcomes between surgical and non-surgical management strategies.
Main Results:
- Surgical treatment achieved a 96% radiographic cure rate with 82% of patients having a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2.
- Recurrence rate was 12% in surgically treated patients, averaging 327.86 days.
- Non-surgical management had a 6% cure rate, with 80% of patients achieving an mRS score of 0-2.
Conclusions:
- Surgical treatment is effective for low-grade pediatric AVMs, while non-surgical approaches benefit high-grade AVMs.
- A notable rate of recurrence was observed, highlighting the need for further investigation.
- Further research is encouraged to reduce AVM recurrence and improve management of unresectable lesions.
Objective:
Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a common cause of intracranial hemorrhage in children. Exploring outcomes of treatment and factors that predict recurrence may help guide the management of pediatric AVMs. In this study, the authors review a single-center experience with pediatric AVMs, aiming to identify factors contributing to recurrence and areas for improvement in treatment.
Methods:
A single-center retrospective review of patients ages 0-18 years with AVMs in the period from 2005 to 2018 was conducted. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic data were collected and examined to compare the clinical and functional outcomes of patients managed with and those managed without open microsurgical resection.
Results:
One hundred five patients were diagnosed and treated during the study period. Fifty (47.6%) had been treated surgically and 35 (33.3%) nonsurgically, and 20 (19%) had been treated primarily at an outside institution and thus were excluded from further analysis. Of the 50 treated surgically, 92% had complete obliteration on postoperative imaging, with the remaining patients having residual AVM and undergoing re-resection or SRS, ultimately resulting in a 96% radiographic cure rate. The surgically treated patients were followed up for an average of 3.34 years. Eighty-two percent had a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0-2. There was a recurrence rate of 12%, with the time to recurrence averaging 327.86 days (range 85-596 days). Of the 35 patients managed without open surgery, 77% underwent serial imaging surveillance, 20% underwent endovascular embolization, and 3% underwent stereotactic radiosurgery. Radiographic cure was seen in 6% of those treated nonsurgically, and all had undergone endovascular treatment alone. The nonsurgically treated patients were followed up for an average of 2.14 years. Eighty percent had an mRS score of 0-2.
Conclusions:
The data revealed that patients with lower-grade AVMs treated surgically and those with higher-grade AVMs managed without surgery have good functional and clinical outcomes. A high rate of recurrence was noted, and the possible contributing factors were explored. The authors encourage further study into mechanisms to reduce AVM recurrence in pediatric patients and look forward to advances in the medical management of lesions that are considered unresectable.
