Hi Doctor,
I am a 26 year old male from Chicago diagonised to have small size AVM on my right frontal lobe. Doctors suggest me to go for embolization with a special liquid called onyx and feel that should take care of everything as AVM is small and not complicated. Is embolization alone sufficient in my case ( or in general) for a complete cure.
Regards, Ravi
Dear Ravi,
Your question regarding optimal treatment of a small AVM is a good one. AVM ‘s can recanalize in 15% of patients despite embolization; in addition, morbidity rates range from 4% to 40% with embolization alone. Onyx is one of the better, more permanent embolic materials, but recanalization can still occur.
Gamma Knife surgery can be used in conjunction with embolization or following failed embolization. Our overall obliteration rate following Gamma Knife surgery alone is approximately 80%.
Of course, extirpation remains an effective and immediate way of treating an AVM provided that the AVM is in a surgically accessible location and the neurosurgeon is experienced in vascular surgery.
I would recommend that you see a multidisciplinary team comprised of physicians with expertise in microsurgery, embolization, and radiosurgery to help select the most appropriate treatment for your particular case. Much will depend upon your neuro-imaging studies, clinical history, and neurological examination.
Please let me know if I can be of assistance.
Best wishes,
Jason Sheehan
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