PERCUTANEOUS ENDOVASCULAR EMBOLIZATION OF INTRACEREBRAL ARTERIOVENOUS-MALFORMATIONS - EXPERIENCE IN 72 CASES

Endovascular therapeutic embolization of arteriovenous malformations ( AVMs) of the brain was performed in 72 patients between October 1986 a nd March 1993. From October 1986 to May 1991, 38 patients in this seri es were treated with isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate (IBCA) glue. After June 1991, in the remainining 34 patients the embolic materials used includ ed surgical silk (5-0), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), ethanol, and estrogen . After treatment, 29 patients (40.3%) had complete angiographic oblit eration of AVM, 15 (21%) transient neurojogic postembolization deficit , and 3 (4%) permanent deficit without death. Embolic agents and proce dures are discussed as to their curative effects, safety, normal perfu sion pressure breakthrough (NPPB) problem, with silk mixture fluid bei ng considered preferable.