Abstract
We have experienced six cases of arteriovenous malformation (AVM) treated by intravascular embolization followed by surgical removal. The embolic materials we used were liquid form of polyvinyl alcohol in which we suspended silk thread, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, methylcellulose, and lipiodol. The surgical removal was done 1 week to 5 months after surgery. The best advantage of preoperative embolization is to change high-flow AVM to low-flow status. Besides this, embolization simplified the surgical approach because feeder occlusion was not needed. The occluded artery changed its color to dark red, indicating a surgical orientation was the right choice. Small feeders from deep perforators were not occluded by embolization and remained troublesome. Preoperative embolization was useful for removal of AVM if keep in mind its benefits and disadvantages.
