Abstract
Background and Purpose:
To evaluate, in a multicenter, retrospective cohort study, the outcomes after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for unruptured, intervention-naïve pediatric brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM).
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation pediatric AVM database from 1987-2018. Pediatric patients with unruptured, previously untreated AVMs who underwent SRS were included. The primary endpoint was a composite of hemorrhagic stroke, death, or permanently symptomatic radiation-induced changes (RIC).
Results:
The study cohort comprised 101 patients (mean follow-up 80.8 months). The primary endpoint occurred in 14%, comprising hemorrhage stroke, death, and permanent RIC in 6%, 3%, and 8%, respectively. Estimated probabilities of the primary endpoint were 5.2%, 10.8%, and 23.0% at 2, 5, and 10 years, respectively (Figure 1). Estimated probabilities of AVM obliteration at 5 and 10 years were 64% and 82%, respectively (Figure 2). Single SRS treatment (p=0.007) and higher margin dose (p=0.005) were predictors of obliteration. Subgroup analysis of Spetzler-Martin grade I-III AVMs estimated primary endpoint probabilities of 3.7%, 8.4%, and 18.7% at 2, 5 and 10 years, respectively.
Conclusion:
Treatment of unruptured, intervention-naïve AVMs in the pediatric population with SRS carries an approximately 2% annual risk of morbidity and mortality, which appears to plateau after 10 years. The poorly described natural history of pediatric AVMs makes any comparison of SRS versus conservative management imperfect. However, due to the young age at diagnosis and excessive cumulative life hemorrhage risk of an untreated AVM in a child, SRS is likely to have a favorable long-term risk-benefit profile for appropriately selected unruptured pediatric AVMs.