J Korean Radiol Soc.
1994 Sep;31(3):385-390.
Evaluation of Enodvascular Treatment for Intracranial AVMs Using MRI
Abstract
- PURPOSE
To evaluate the MR findings of embolized cerebral arteriovenous malformations according to various embolic materials.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed the endovascular embolization using four different kinds of embolic
materials in 33 patients. Embolization related changes in the nidus and surrounding brain parenchyme were
analyzed and the results were compared with pre- and postembolization MRI, CT and anglographic findings in
all patients.
RESULTS
Embolized vessels with N-buthyl-2-cyanoacrylate(NBCA) mixture showed some artifact in CT due to
metallic character of tantalum powder or fatty nature of lipiodol. But in MRI, it was represented by fatty signals
without artifact. In cases of using polyvinyl alcohol and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer(EVAL), there were no
specific signal by the embolic material except for the disappearance of flow related signals in feeding arteries
and shrinkage of venous ectasis.
CONCLUSION
MRI is a valuable imaging modality for analysing the morphology and hemodynamics of
cerebral AVMs, especially after embolization of pathologic vessels. Recognition of the signal of embolic agents
and thus the thrombosed portion could lead to more precise analysis before surgery or radiosurgery.