Evaluation and management of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations.

This review discusses the classification, pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and management of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations. Our series of 21 patients with spinal cord AVM's is briefly discussed. The clinical presentation of these relatively rare lesions is varied, and diagnosis and treatment are often delayed. The majority of these lesions can be excised using microsurgical techniques. The key to successful management is early diagnosis and microsurgical removal before severe compromise of spinal cord function occurs.