Stereotactic radiosurgery for pediatric arteriovenous malformations

Abstract

Children with intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVM) have a high cumulative risk of hemorrhage and therefore effective treatment of AVMs in the pediatric population is imperative. Treatment options include microsurgical resection, endovascular embolization, staged or single fraction radiosurgery, or some combination of these treatments, with the ultimate goal of eliminating the risk of hemorrhage. In this article the authors review the current data on the use of radiosurgery for the treatment of childhood AVMs. Factors associated with successful AVM radiosurgery in this population are examined, and comparisons with outcomes in adult patients are reviewed.