Clinical Evaluation of Artificial Embolization in the Management of Large Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

p RESENTED here is an interim appraisal of the potential clinical usefulness of artificial embolization in the surgical management of certain large cerebral arteriovenous malformations. In prior communications 4,5,6 we have stated a rationale for this procedure, discussed observations of the responses of cerebral arteries to plastic eraboll and described a technical modification permitting controlled catheterization of the proximal cerebral arteries. Here we will describe certain anatomical features of the lesions relating to artificial embolization and give a detailed account of our clinical experience to date. This includes observations in 15 patients, from a series of 55, in whom a total of 6~0 emboli were introduced.