Endovascular treatment for brain arteriovenous malformations via the anterior choroidal artery for casting Onyx-18.

Background

Few studies have investigated the safety of endovascular treatment (EVT) for brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) via the anterior choroidal artery (AchA); therefore, this topic is worth studying further. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study of 18 consecutive patients with BAVMs that were treated via the AchA with Onyx casting. Clinical and angiographic data were collected from the patients and analyzed.

Results

The ages of the 18 patients ranged from 13 to 67 years (mean 39.2 ± 14.7 years), and eight patients were male (44.4%, 8/18). All patients had intracranial hemorrhages, including 2 with previous hemorrhages. All 18 BAVMs were mainly fed by the AchA and were treated via the AchA as the route for casting Onyx-18. Of the 13 single-trunk AchAs, after EVT, all proximal segments were preserved. For the 5 double-trunk AchAs, EVT was performed via the lower trunk; the proximal segments of the lower trunk were occluded for 2 of these AchAs. Among the 18 BAVMs, 16 niduses were embolized to different degrees, as were twelve associated aneurysms. Five (27.8%, 5/18) of the 18 patients experienced complications, and appropriate management was provided. During long-term follow-up, 14 (77.8%, 14/18) patients achieved good outcomes.

Conclusion

EVT for BAVMs via the AchA has significant risks, but overall, good long-term outcomes were achieved in approximal 80% of the patients. This study highlights the potential of this technique for embolizing BAVMs via the AchA.