[Peroperative embolization of arteriovenous malformations arising from the vertebral artery]

Surgical exposure of the vertebral artery above C2 may be used in very selected cases to embolize medullary or cerebral arterio-venous malformations. 3 cases are reported which were treated by this technique. It allows to use a catheter of sufficient diameter for solid emboles, when balloon catheter cannot be used because IBC seems too hazardous (2 cases). This intra-operative technique may also be indicated when standard embolization is impossible for technical reasons : tortuosity, occlusion (1 case).