Evaluation of cerebral blood flow in arteriovenous malformations by the xenon 133 inhalation method.

Fifteen regional cerebral blood flow studies (rCBF) were conducted on 14 patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Only one patient was studied at the time of a hemorrhage. None of the patients were operated upon. All patients had angiographically demonstrated lesions. All the CT scans performed demonstrated the lesions. rCBF was increased in the involved hemisphere compared to the non-involved hemisphere and the difference was greater when the malformations were superficial. There was a higher incidence of high flow regions in the involved hemisphere of patients with AVMs compared to our normal control group and patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) from aneurysms. Flow rates within the involved hemisphere demonstrated abnormal distributions and greater variability than normals. Some peaks previously demonstrated in the intra-arterial flow studies are not apparent using the inhalation method. This non-invasive technique has a potential to provide additional useful information on the natural history of this disorder.