ABSTRACT
The most common and clinically important intracranial angiomas are arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), to which attention is therefore directed primarily in this chapter. Surgical treatment of AVMs is associated with a definite morbidity and mortality, and the natural history of these malformations is therefore of importance in determining whether operative treatment is justified. Whether surgical resection of a previously unruptured cerebral AVM should be undertaken to prevent hemorrhage (regardless of whether seizures have occurred) is a controversial point that has been discussed in detail elsewhere. Venous angiomas are simple low-flow malformations consisting of venous structures separated by normal neural parenchyma that converge on a dilated, central venous trunk. Intracranial cavernous angiomas are relatively rare, and may lead to seizures, hemorrhage, or to the clinical features of a space-occupying lesion. The pharmacologic management of the seizure disorder is ineffective in some patients with this syndrome, and in such circumstances surgical treatment may be helpful.
