Radiology, Vol 150, 385-389, Copyright © 1984 by Radiological Society of North America
CT of thrombosed arteriovenous malformations in children
JS Mitnick, RS Pinto, JP Lin, H Rose and A Lieberman
Thrombosed arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in children are rare lesions
that may present with headaches or a seizure disorder. Thirteen patients (4
months to 21 years of age) with this lesion were examined with computed
tomography (CT). In 11 patients surgical confirmation was obtained, and the
other two patients were examined with follow-up CT scans. Angiography
either showed an avascular mass (7/13) or was negative (6/13). CT showed a
lobulated lesion (8/13), peripheral location (11/13), and minimal
surrounding edema (8/13). All of the lesions were hyperdense prior to the
administration of contrast material and all enhanced either slightly or not
at all following contrast material administration. It is concluded that
these characteristic CT features aid in making the diagnosis of thrombosed
AVM. The major differential diagnosis is small intracerebral neoplasm.
