Stereotactic resection of pediatric vascular malformations.

The technique of computer-assisted stereotactic resection of intra-axial neoplasms can also be used in the treatment of vascular malformations. We report a series of 12 pediatric patients with supratentorial lesions who underwent stereotactic resections between 1985 and 1988. There were 5 boys and 7 girls, with mean age 8 years (range 3-16). Epilepsy was the presenting symptoms in 8 children, hemorrhage in 3, and in 1 the lesion was incidentally diagnosed. Seven lesions were angiographically occult. All lesions were resected without mortality or morbidity. Seizures resolved in 7 of 8 cases, with the remaining patient experiencing a reduction in seizure frequency. Illustrative cases are presented.