Indication selection of different management strategies for brainstem AVMs
| Characteristics | Conservative (n=13) | Microsurgery (n=6) | Embolisation (n=12) | SRS (n=21) | Embolisation+SRS (n=9) | P value |
| Sex (male) | 8 (61.5) | 3 (50.0) | 7 (58.3) | 11 (52.4) | 4 (44.4) | 0.941 |
| Age (years) | 25.0±11.9 | 32.9±18.8 | 34.2±14.9 | 30.1±12.6 | 26.3±15.7 | 0.488 |
| Onset manifestation | ||||||
| Haemorrhage | 10 (76.9) | 6 (100.0) | 11 (91.7) | 14 (66.7) | 8 (88.9) | 0.162 |
| Neurofunctional deficit | 2 (15.4) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (9.5) | 0 (0.0) | 0.272 |
| Others | 1(7.7) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (8.3) | 5 (23.8) | 1 (11.1) | 0.388 |
| Hydrocephalus | 3 (23.1) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.8) | 0 (0.0) | 0.131 |
| Admission mRS | 1.1±0.8 | 2.2±1.9 | 1.5±1.8 | 1.2±1.2 | 0.9±1.2 | 0.669 |
| Location | ||||||
| Midbrain | 3 (23.1) | 1 (16.7) | 6 (50.0) | 13 (61.9) | 7 (77.8) | 0.026* |
| Midbrain-pons | 2 (15.4) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (4.8) | 1 (11.1) | 0.448 |
| Pons | 3 (23.1) | 1 (16.7) | 3 (25.0) | 3 (14.3) | 0 (0.0) | 0.373 |
| Pons-medulla | 0 (0.0) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (9.5) | 0 (0.0) | 0.257 |
| Medulla | 3 (23.1) | 1 (16.7) | 2 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0.062 |
| Middle cerebellar peduncle | 1 (7.7) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (9.5) | 1 (11.1) | 0.618 |
| Others | 1 (7.7) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (8.3) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0.453 |
| Size (cm) | 2.6±1.4 | 1.7±0.7 | 2.4±1.5 | 2.3±1.1 | 3.3±1.7 | 0.217 |
| Deep venous drainage | 4 (30.8) | 1 (16.7) | 4 (33.3) | 12 (57.1) | 5 (55.6) | 0.244 |
| Drainage varix | 4 (30.8) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (33.3) | 3 (14.3) | 4 (44.4) | 0.129 |
| Aneurysms (flow-related) | 3 (23.1) | 0 (0.0) | 4 (33.3) | 1 (4.8) | 2 (22.2) | 0.110 |
| Diffuse nidus | 6 (46.2) | 1 (16.7) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (14.3) | 0 (0.0) | 0.008* |
| Deep perforating arteries | 11 (84.6) | 5 (83.3) | 7 (58.3) | 17 (81.0) | 5 (55.6) | 0.340 |
Values are expressed as number of cases (%) or mean±SD, unless otherwise indicated.
*Statistical significance (p<0.05).
AVMs, arteriovenous malformations; mRS, modified Rankin Scale; SRS, stereotactic radiosurgery.