A systematic review of the frequency and prognosis of arteriovenous malformations of the brain in adults

摘要: By systematically reviewing the literature, we have found that there is very little information about frequency and clinical course of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) brain in adults because methods most studies been flawed, AVMs tend to be treated once they are discovered. The incidence ~1 per 100 000 year unselected populations, point prevalence ~18 000. account for between 1 2% all strokes, 3% strokes young adults, 9% subarachnoid haemorrhages and, primary intracerebral haemorrhages, responsible 4% overall, but as much one-third adults. far less common causes first presentations with unprovoked seizures (1%), people presenting headaches absence neurological signs (0.3%). At time detection, at least 15% affected by asymptomatic, one-fifth present approximately two-thirds them dominant mode presentation intracranial haemorrhage. limited high quality data available on prognosis suggest long-term crude annual case fatality 1–1.5%, risk occurrence haemorrhage from an unruptured AVM ~2%, recurrent may 18% year, uncertainty thereafter. For untreated AVMs, developing de novo 1%. There a pressing need large, prospective well-defined, stable taking their prognostic heterogeneity.