Role of embolization in the management of arteriovenous malformations

For the best management of AVMs, it is essential to achieve complete elimination of abnormal arteriovenous shunting. Classically, it was considered that surgical resection of the nidus was the only way to achieve this objective. With the significant advancement and introduction of new technology, the quality of the treatment using embolization and radiosurgery improved so rapidly that it is difficult to introduce all of these achievements. However, we should utilize these three modalities, depending on the patient's condition and the anatomic condition of the lesion. Furthermore, it is better to use less invasive methods, including embolization and gamma knife radiosurgery, than to use a treatment that requires craniotomy. One of the major drawbacks of embolization as a primary modality of treatment is the low rate of complete radioanatomic cure. We should further advance the embolization technique because it facilitiates any treatment that follows.