Advances in the endovascular treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformations.

The three treatment options for intracranial arteriovenous malformation are resection, endovascular embolization, and stereotactic radioneurosurgery, in rare cases, the malformation can be eradicated using only one of these options; most cases require a combination of the options, even all three. The most recent advances have been in interventional neuroradiology with the introduction of highdefinition 3D imaging and hyperselective intranidal endovascular embolization using rnicrocatheters and microguidewires, giving marked advantages in terms of rapidity, efficacy, and safety, Nidal devascularization is now much improved, as shown by the increased interval between embolization sessions, while high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging plays a valuable role in the preembolization work-up and postembolization follow-up.