The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for the treatment of 15 cases of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Between 2002 and 2009, of the 25 patients who had SRS for the treatment of cerebral AVM, 15 patients (6 men, 9 women) taken a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) over 12 months after SRS were included. We retrospectively evaluated the size, location, hemorrhage of nidus, angiographic changes on follow-up on the MR angiography and DSA, and clinical complications during follow-up periods. At a median follow-up of 24 months (range 12-89), complete obliteration of nidus was observed in all patients (100%) while residual draining veins was observed in 3 patients (20%). There was no clinical complication during the follow-up period except seizure in 1 patient. The mean nidus volume was 4.7cc (0.5∼11.7 cc, SD 3.7 cc). The locations of nidus were in cerebral hemisphere in 11 patients, cerebellum in 2 patients, basal ganglia in 1 patient, and pons in 1 patient respectively. 9 cases were hemorrhagic, and 6 cases were non-hemorrhagic AVMs. The SRS with LINAC is a safe and effective treatment for cerebral AVMs when the follow up period is over 4 years. However, it is recommended to continue to follow up until the draining vein on arterial phase of follow up DSA disappears completely.

KeywordsCerebral arteriovenous malformation, single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)