Embolization of intracranial arteriovenous malformations with ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx).
OBJECTIVE
Endovascular therapy of intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is increasingly used. However, it is still under discussion which embolic material is optimal. We report our experience in the treatment of AVMs with ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx).


METHODS
Between July 2002 and January 2008, brain AVMs were embolized with Onyx in 82 consecutive patients in our department. There were 41 females and 41 males with a mean age of 44.2 years (range, 15-85 years). Clinical presentation included symptoms due to intracerebral hemorrhage (n = 37), seizures (n = 18), nonhemorrhagic neurologic deficits (n = 8), headaches (n = 9), or incidental symptoms (n = 10). According to the Spetzler-Martin scale, 59 AVMs were grades I-II, 16 were grade III, and 7 were grades IV-V.


RESULTS
Complete obliteration at the end of all endovascular procedures was achieved in 20/82 patients (24.4%), with an average of 75% (range, 30%-100%) volume reduction. A mean of 2.9 (range, 1-10) feeding pedicles was embolized per patient, whereas an average of 2.6-mL Onyx was used per patient. Procedure-related permanent disabling morbidity was 3.8%, whereas mortality was 2.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall initial complete obliteration rate of intracranial AVMs with Onyx embolization is relatively high, compared with other embolic agents, with evidence of stability with time. Morbidomortality rates due to AVM embolization as a single treatment method or as a part of a multimodality treatment should be further assessed regarding the natural course of the disease.
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany.
V
V
Panagiotopoulos
E
E
Gizewski
S
S
Asgari
J
J
Regel
M
M
Forsting
I
I
Wanke
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
C450660:Onyx copolymer; D011145:Polyvinyls; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide