Arteriovenous malformations in the functional area: surgical treatment and regional cerebral blood flow.

Total resection of the arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is the procedure of choice. The author presents 18 cases of AVMs located in the functional areas. In 16 of these cases, the AVM was totally eliminated and the remaining two radically subtotally eliminated. It is the author's belief that the technical innovation applied to the surgical procedure in the management of AVMs is responsible for the absence of a mortality factor. The high quality of the neurological improvement, and the patient's ability to resume a normal life are also attributed to this new approach. A significant postoperative improvement in the rCBF was compared to the postoperative improvement in neurological status and activities.