Functional prognosis after treatment of spinal radiculomeningeal arteriovenous malformations.

Background: We performed surgical treatment successfully in six patients with spinal radiculomeningeal arteriovenous malformation (AVM); however, only four patients showed improvement of gait function postoperatively.

Methods: These experiences prompted us to review the clinical findings and their possible association with the functional outcome in 33 reported cases of radiculomeningeal AVM together with those in our six patients.

Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the duration from onset of symptoms until diagnosis, the age at the time of treatment, the condition of the deep tendon reflexes (DTR) in the lower extremities, as well as the severity of both gait and urinary disturbance before treatment were significantly correlated with the functional outcome.

Conclusions: A patient under 70 years old, who is treated within 2 years 6 months after the onset, whose gait or urinary disturbance is slight or moderate, and without absence of DTR in the lower extremities, is expected to have a good functional prognosis after treatment.