ABSTRACT
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are developmental abnormalities of blood vessels in which the preservation of one or more direct primitive connections between arterial and venous channels results in rapid arterial-venous shunting. The proper management of individual AVMs is often complex. Consideration must be given to the natural history of an AVM and its physiological consequences on surrounding brain parenchyma. A detailed knowledge of the angioarchitecture of the AVM is essential. Also, risk assessment of specific therapeutic regimens with regard to the functional integrity of the surrounding brain is imperative.
