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Spontaneous occlusion of arteriovenous malformations (AVM), characterized by complete disappearance of the AVM nidus and early venous drainage, and is a rare. The frequency of this phenomenon varied from 0.1 to 1.3 %. We analyzed two cases of spontaneous occlusion of cerebral AVMs with a non-hemorrhagic debut after 3 and 13 years in women aged 28 and 40 years, respectively. In both cases AVM was diagnosed during routine neuroimaging because of headache. Both patients had superficial small malformations. After discussing the risks of surgical treatment, both patients refused to perform any intervention. Scheduled angiography was performed 3 years after the diagnosis to follow-up the course of the disease and revealed complete disappearance of the AVM. Another patient noted persistent regression of headache after 3 years. Follow-up angiography was performed 13 years after diagnosis and confirmed spontaneous occlusion of the AVM. Given the data on the recurrence of the disease after spontaneous occlusion, such patients require long-term follow-up. When an AVM ruptures, hemodynamic changes may explain the thrombosis of the malformation, but the mechanisms of spontaneous occlusion in non-ruptured AVM remain unclear.

Endovascular embolization is a critical component in the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. It can be used as an independent treatment modality or as an adjunct to microurgery or radiosurgery. The published literature in the PubMed database until September 2021 was reviewed with reference to the results of cerebral arteriovenous malformations embolization using liquid embolic agents. More scientific data reporting about total embolization of the cerebral arteriovenous malformations with a final cure. Although complications and mortality after arteriovenous malformations embolization have decreased significantly, but they still exist, and decisions about it usage should be weighed against its benefits during the planning phase. Treatment of arteriovenous malformations of the brain requires a multidisciplinary approach involving vascular neurosurgeons, endovascular interventionists and radiation oncologists, with a deep understanding of the natural course and combination of risks of multimodal treatment. Only such approach can increase the likelihood of a positive outcome of the cerebral arteriovenous malformations treatment.

Purpose of the study. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemPurpose of the study. To examine the results of endovascular, surgical and combined treatments for brain arteriovenous malformations. Materials and methods. In total, between 2008 and 2014 years 336 patients with brain AVMs were treated. Results. In 280 cases, endovascular embolization was performed, while microsurgical resection of AVM was performed in 56 cases. Complications in the endovascular group was 13.6%, mortality 2.1%. Complications of microsurgical resection of AVM were reported in 4%, mortality was 0%. Conclusion. Our experience shows that endovascular embolization, microsurgical resection, or a combination of methods is safe and effective strategy for the treatment of brain AVMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are not static congenital formations. These structures can grow, recur, and even appear de novo after a "complete" cure., Objective: To analyze the dynamics of angiogenic factors before and after embolization of cerebral AVMs., Material and Methods: The study enrolled 314 patients with AVM who underwent endovascular treatment at the Department of Brain Vessels Surgery of the Polenov Russian Research Neurosurgical Institute for the period from 2011 to 2017. The control group included 33 healthy volunteers. Their age was comparable to that in the main group. The levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were measured before and in 24 hours after endovascular embolization using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Personal Lab, «Adaltis», Italy)., Results: Increased levels of VEGF, MMP-9 and ANG-2 were observed in 48.4% of primary patients with AVM. No correlation of increased level of these factors with gender, age, co-morbidities, localization and structure of AVM was found. High level of VEGF and MMP-9 was typical for AVM Spetzler-Martin grade III, AVM with hemorrhagic course, drainage into the deep cerebral veins and with afferents from the external carotid artery. Total embolization of AVM led to normalization of all elevated angiogenesis factors. In contrast, partial embolization resulted augmentation of VEGF and MMP-9 levels., Conclusion: Normalization of all elevated growth factors after total embolization confirms the absence of potency for AVM recurrence. Identification of the factors predisposing to possible growth of AVM should be a justification for total resection of AVM. Persistent elevation of serum growth factors after total embolization in accordance with the angiographic criteria may be a sign of subtotal occlusion of AVM.