Between 1988-1993 we performed CT-stereotactic guided microsurgical re
section as a one-session-procedure in 46 patients bearing small (< 30
mm) cerebral vascular malformations (SCVM). The location of the SCVM w
as deep subcortical in 38 patients, temporal medio- basal in 3 and bra
instem in 5. The surgical technique intended to minimise invasiveness
by reducing the operative approach to a size less than the diameter of
the lesion concerned. The mean diameter of our SCVM's was 20 mm rangi
ng from 10 to 30 mm. Histologically we found 23 arteriovenous malforma
tions, 22 cavernous malformations and 1 capillary telangiectasia (capi
llary malformation). Clinical symptomatology consisted mainly of seizu
res, (progressive) neurological deficit and (minute) acute intracerebr
al bleeding. The SCVMs could be demonstrated by contrast-enhanced CT a
s well as by MRI. 15 of the AVM's revealed as angiographically occult.
Complete microsurgical resection of the SCVM was accomplished in all
cases with a surgical morbidity of 6.5% and no operative mortality. In
14 patients, most of them with initial acute intracerebral haemorrhag
e, the pronounced focal neurological deficit improved. During the foll
ow-up period (1/2-5 years) no rebleeding occurred. As far as epileptic
seizures were concerned 13 patients became seizure-free without antic
onvulsants and 11 patients seizure-free with anticonvulsant, in the re
maining 4 patients seizures were reduced in frequency.