Spinal Cord Arteriovenous Malformations

Indications

• Spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) causing:

  • Positive neurologic symptoms—pain, neurogenic claudication, myelopathy, radiculopathy, and progressive motor and sensory dysfunction.

  • Positive radiologic signs for imminent damage to the spinal cord—venous hypertension, subarachnoid or intramedullary hemorrhage, edema, and significant mass effect.

• Presentation is often acute, after a bleeding episode. Close to 50% will experience at least one bleeding episode, especially children (> 80% will present with acute bleeding).