Higher cortical disorders: an unusual presentation of an arteriovenous malformation.
The authors present a patient with a large arteriovenous malformation in the temperoparietooccipital region of the dominant hemisphere that caused seizures, a homonymous hemianopia, and broad neuropsychological disturbances probably caused by a cerebral steal syndrome. There was no history of hemorrhage. Surgical resection resulted in marked improvement of neuropsychological function and disappearance of the hemianopia. The authors discuss the pre- and postoperative neuropsychological findings, the pathogenesis of the steal phenomenon, and the indications concerning the resection of this large and deep-seated arteriovenous malformation in a functionally important region of the left hemisphere. They state that surgical resection is the method of choice.
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
J J
JJ
von Overbeeke
N J
NJ
Bosma
A F
AF
Verdonck
A C
AC
von Huffelen
D000293:Adolescent; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests