Imaging of brain arteriovenous malformations

The goals of the imaging work-np of cerebral arteriovenous malformations ar e not only the diagnosis of malformations but also their radioanatomic char acterization in order to define an appropriate treatment plan for a given l esion, to evaluate and to compare results of treatment modalities to look f or parameters correlated with a high risk of bleeding and to identify indic ations of radiosurgery. In this review, the diagnostic value of imaging tec hniques is discussed : CT scan, MR imaging, vascular explorations. Radioana tomic parameters most useful for therapeutic discussion are defined: feedin g arteries, associated aneurysms, size and topography of nidus, draining ve ins.