The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of preoperative embolisation of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) since the introduction of this interventional neuroradiology technique in March 1994 at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
Twenty-one patients who underwent complete surgical excision of their AVMs (proven on postoperative angiograms) were studied. Eight patients had preoperative embolisation with NBCA prior to surgical excision of their AVMs. Thirteen patients had excision of their AVMs without preoperative embolisation and these were used as the control group.
The parameters studied were the patients’ AVM characteristics, the amount of blood loss and the length of operative time. Statistically significant reduction in blood loss occurred in Spetzler and Martin Grade 3 and 4 AVMs but not in Grade 1 and 2 AVMs undergoing preoperative embolisation with NBCA. Operative time was reduced in Grade 3 and 4 AVMs but not in Grade 1 and 2 AVMs, although this was not statistically significant.
Preoperative embolisation of AVMs is hence a useful and important adjunct in the management of patients with Grade 3 and 4 AVMs of the brain undergoing conventional open microneurosurgery.
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The author(s) declare there are no affiliations with or involvement in any organisation or entity with any financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.
