Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations

This book is a compilation of chapters by physicians expert in the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The authors' expertise covers a wide range of fields, including neurosurgery, neurology, pathology, and diagnostic and therapeutic radiology. The natural history of AVMs is approached in the initial chapters of the book, the conclusion being reached that of the patients harboring AVMs, about 2% to 3% per year will suffer intracranial hemorrhage, with an unknown number being subject to small bleedings that are not clinically evident. The risk of recurrent hemorrhage is 6% in the first year after the initial hemorrhage and then approximately 2% per year. In addition to bleeding, patients with AVMs can present with headaches, seizures, or progressive neurologic deficit related to steal phenomenon from surrounding brain. A solid demonstration of some of the hemodynamic effects of AVMs that might result in focal cerebral ischemia is