Cerebral arteriovenous malformations in children.

A series of 36 children under the age of 13 with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) was retrospectively reviewed. It is shown that haemorrhage is by far the commonest initial manifestation of the lesion, followed by seizures. Of the 14 children who have seizures, 10 suffered from haemorrhage within an observation period of 3 months to 7 years. Analysis of the results of the various forms of treatment indicates that total surgical extirpation provides the best safeguard against future haemorrhage. It is suggested that all cerebral AVM in children should be excised whenever possible.