Treatment of multiple arteriovenous malformations in pediatric patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and spontaneous hemorrhage. Report of two cases

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia in a Patient Undergoing Hemodialysis with Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disorder that causes abnormal blood vessel formation and bleeding. We herein report a 61-year-old woman with aggravated HHT symptoms after hemodialysis initiation. She was diagnosed with HHT based on her recurrent bleeding, abnormal blood vessel formation, and family history. Despite bleeding complications, the patient required anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents to treat cardiovascular complications. Eventually, the patient died of extensive cerebral hemorrhaging. Our experience suggests that special attention should be paid to bleeding complications in high-risk patients.

Comparing Characteristics and Treatment of Brain Vascular Malformations in Children and Adults with HHT

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by the development of vascular malformations (VMs) in organs such as the brain and lungs, as well as telangiectases on mucosal surfaces. Prophylactic treatment of organ VMs may prevent potential complications, such as hemorrhage. However, brain VM treatment-surgical resection, embolization, and/or radiosurgery-is not recommended for all patients due to the associated risks. Given the scarcity of data regarding HHT-related brain VM presentation and treatment trends in pediatric patients, we aim to describe the clinical presentations and the patterns of treatment of HHT-related brain VMs in a pediatric cohort, and compare pediatric trends to those of adults. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed in 114 pediatric patients with HHT-related brain VMs and compared with a cohort of 253 adult patients enrolled in the multicenter Brain Vascular Malformation Consortium HHT Project. Our data demonstrated that a higher proportion of pediatric patients with HHT-related brain VMs were symptomatic at presentation (p = 0.004). Moreover, a higher proportion of pediatric patients presented with intracranial hemorrhage (p < 0.001) and seizure (p = 0.002) compared to adult patients. Surgical resection was the most common brain VM treatment modality in both children and adults. We conclude that pediatric patients may be more likely to present with symptoms and complications from brain VMs, supporting the case for screening for brain VMs in children with HHT.

Clinico-Radiologic Outcomes After Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients with Complex High-Risk Multiple Arteriovenous Malformations

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to define the outcome and risks of patients with multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 1232 patients with AVMs who underwent SRS at our center between 1987 and 2017. We identified 10 patients who had SRS for multiple AVMs (total of 25). Eight patients presented with intracranial hemorrhage before SRS. Four patients had hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. A Spetzler-Martin grade I AVM was diagnosed in 11 AVMs, grade II in 7, grade III in 6, and grade IV in 1 AVM. The median maximum diameter was 12 mm, the median target volume was 1.1 cm³, and the median margin dose was 20 Gy. Twenty-four AVMs were treated with single-session SRS, and 1 AVM was treated with volume-staged SRS.

RESULTS

The angiographic complete obliteration rate of each AVM was 18.2%, 58.0%, and 66.4% at 3, 5, and 7 years, respectively. The angiographic complete obliteration rate of all treated AVMs in each patient was 11.1%, 51.4%, and 51.4% at 3, 5, and 7 years, respectively. In multivariate analysis, higher marginal dose (≥18 Gy, P = 0.031) was significantly associated with complete obliteration of AVMs. After obliteration of all their AVMs was confirmed no patient bled.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with complex multiple AVMs often presented with a brain hemorrhage. Reduction in bleeding risk after SRS requires complete obliteration that is more likely if the initial AVM margin dose is ≥18 Gy for each AVM.

Benefits of Treating Arteriovenous Malformations in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Retrospective Analysis of 14 Patients

Background

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a cardinal feature of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). However, whether to treat brain AVMs in patients with HHT remains questionable because of the possible risks.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of patients with HHT who had been treated for brain AVMs at our institution from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2016. An institutional database was queried for the phrases “hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia” and “HHT,” and those patients who had been treated during the study period were identified. Data were extracted regarding presentation, AVM characteristics, treatment modality, and treatment outcomes.

Results

We identified 14 patients (10 males, 4 females) with HHT who had had AVMs (n = 27) from the institutional database. The mean age of the patients was 43 years (range, 2–64). Of the 27 brain AVMs, 13 were Spetzler-Martin grade I, 12 were grade II, and 2 were grade III; none were grade IV or V. Treatment was by microsurgery only (11 AVMs in 10 patients), embolization followed by microsurgery (2 AVMs in 2 patients), and radiosurgery only (12 AVMs in 2 patients). AVM obliteration was achieved in 100% of the patients. No new fixed neurologic deficits developed after treatment of unruptured HHT AVMs.

Conclusions

The risk of treatment of brain AVMs in patients with HHT is quite low for appropriately selected patients with treatment individualized to radiosurgery, microsurgery, or a combination of embolization and microsurgery.

Surgical Treatment vs Nonsurgical Treatment for Brain Arteriovenous Malformations in Patients with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: A Retrospective Multicenter Consortium Study

BACKGROUND

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are common in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). However, due to the rarity of HHT and little published evidence of outcomes from management of brain AVMs in this disease, current international HHT guidelines recommend an individualized approach. Specifically, the outcomes for surgical vs nonsurgical management of these lesions have not been reported to date.

OBJECTIVE

To report long-term outcomes of surgical resection of brain AVMs in HHT patients compared to outcomes in nonsurgically treated patients.

METHODS

From the database of the Brain Vascular Malformation Consortium HHT project, 19 patients with 20 resected AVMs (group 1) and 22 patients with 33 AVMs who received nonsurgical treatment (group 2) were studied. The groups were retrospectively reviewed for changes in functional status (modified Rankin Scale score) during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, 9% of patients in group 1 suffered from worsening of functional status, whereas this figure was 16% for group 2 (P > .05). Functional outcomes were not statistically different between the 2 groups at the latest follow-up (P > .05).

CONCLUSION

HHT patients treated surgically for brain AVMs appear to have long-term functional outcomes comparable to nonsurgical (including observational) therapy with fewer unfavorable outcomes. It is therefore reasonable to consider surgical resection as a management option in the multidisciplinary team's individualized treatment strategy for HHT patients with brain AVMs.

Ruptured large basilar artery aneurysm associated with an arteriovenous malformation in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

A 53-year-old woman presented with intracranial hemorrhage caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Digital subtraction angiography revealed a large aneurysm arising from the top of the basilar artery and a Spetzler-Martin grade 3 arteriovenous malformation. Endovascular embolization of the aneurysm was completed with a slight neck remnant. Medical examination confirmed that she suffered from hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). HHT is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple mucocutaneous telangiectasia and associated vascular malformations. This case suggests that the prognosis for HHT patients with treatable aneurysms should be as good as that of healthy individuals. Consequently, neurosurgeons should suspect underlying HHT in all patients with cerebral vascular malformations.