Embolisation of cerebral arteriovenous malformations.

Seven patients with inoperable cerebral arteriovenous malformations have been treated with embolisation using Silastic spheres and plugs. Indications for using this technique were intractable migraine, episodes of cerebral ischaemia ('steal' syndromes), intracranial haemorrhage, and partial or generalised epilepsy. All 7 patients had been treated medically for between 5 and 25 years with unsatisfactory control of symptoms. Four of the 7 patients obtained some improvement which appeared related to the reduction in flow through the malformation. Although there are risks associated with embolisation, it would seem to be a worthwhile procedure in selected cases.