[Anterior angiomas of the spinal cord and their treatment]

For a long time surgical removal of intra-medullary angiomas was considered as impossible. Accurate localization of the lesion by spinal angiography, microsurgical techniques allow to overcome this surgical challenge. 15 cases of spinal arteriovenous malformations fed by the anterior spinal artery have been operated. Criterias for surgery and post-operative results are mainly dependant upon the neurological states and the anatomical type of the malformations (type I, II, III, IV), Total removal of the malformations was performed in 12 cases with post-operative control angiography in seven instances.