The Extent of Neurologic Improvement and Social Life in Young Patients with Ruptured and Unruptured Brain AVM: A Long-Term Follow-Up

Background Intracerebral hemorrhage, seizures, neurologic deficits, and cognitive impairments due to brain AVM in childhood are incriminating for brain and executive function with sequelae for further social life. Long-term follow-up data on brain AVM in young patients are rare, making it difficult to compare and evaluate treatment risks and outcomes. Methods We studied young patients with brain AVM who were referred to our institution between 2005 and 2012 and for whom follow-up data were available. We stratified the patients into those with ruptured AVM (rAVM) and unruptured AVM (uAVM) and compared treated and nontreated patients. Differences in outcome and social participation were assessed. Results A total of 29 young patients with brain AVM, median age 16 years, were included in our study with complete follow-up data of over 5 years (mean, 6 years). In 18 (62.1%) patients rAVM and in 11 (37.9%) patients uAVM were found. Twenty (69%) patients received treatment (rAVM 70% vs. uAVM 30%). Among treatment methods, microsurgery was most frequently used (rAVM 33.3% vs. uAVM 36.4%). In rAVM, 16 of 18 (88.9%) patients returned to work or school, and in uAVM, 11 (100%) patients did so. Concerning cognitive problems, no statistically significant difference was found in the 2 groups comparing treated and nontreated patients ( P  > 0.05). A favorable outcome was achieved in 13 (72.2%) patients with rAVM and in 11 (100%) patients with uAVM. Conclusion Favorable outcome was achieved in the majority of patients. The rate of neurologic improvement and participation in social life was very high in the 2 groups.