Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and fistulas (AVF) differ from all other pathology affecting the central nervous system by their high-flow arteriovenous shunts. Permanent occlusion of these shunts is the essence and the challenge of therapy. Much progress has been made since the first neurosurgical efforts to deal with these problems. Endovascular therapy and radiosurgery became accepted alternatives or adjuncts to surgery. In many instances the choice of the primary therapeutic modality is not clear and arguments can be found for several options. However, microsurgery, endovascular therapy and radiosurgery differ very much with regard to invasiveness, length of stay at the hospital but also residual risk after therapy. These secondary factors are often decisive for the choice of treatment modality. The book presents in a clearly structured way the modern treatment concepts. It has been written for all colleagues involved in surgery, radiosurgery and endovascular therapy of neurovascular malformations.
"This book by Hans-Jacob Steiger, Robert Scmid-Elsaesser, Alexander Muacevic, Hartmut Bruckmann, and Berndt Wowra provides almost all information that is required for the management of vascular malformations of the CNS. It fully covers the topics of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM), cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF), and spinal vascular malformations ... it has been written for all those involved in surgery, radiosurgery and endovascular therapy of neurovascular malformations. As such, the book succeeds in presenting a multidisciplinary approach to these clinical conditions. The layout of the book is excellent ... As a whole, this book privides an important background for clinicians for the management of these vascular lesions by selecting the indications for intervention and also in choosing the therapeutic modality out of the existing differing options. This aims to achieve not only the best results but also takes into consideration the treatment morbidity and the quality of life after therapy. The readers would appreciate how this book assists in making these targets achievable in most neurological institutions, avoiding unrealistic expertise and in many instances by the use of combination of the different treatment methods, as comprehensibly demonstrated in this book.
In summary, this book is an important if not an essential addition to the collection of all clinicians dealing with neurovascular malformations." British Journal of Neurosurgery 10/2003
"... This book is a very valuable addition to each neurosurgical library. The teaching is based on real cases which in their total number reflect clinical reality so that each problem, which a resident and vascular trainee may encounter is somewhere to be found. The book is very much like a good workshop on the management of arteriovenous malformations. The first part is the theoretical introduction which provides a very detailed and well structured overview of the current techniques, concepts, results and developments. The second part is somewhat like a 'How I do it' session of the three experts for each treatment modality ... The book by the Munich group led by Hans-Jakob Steiger can be recommended to everybody involved in the management of AVMs. Neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and radiotherapists as well as neurologists will learn from this illustration of a team effort, how the strict adherence to an interdisciplinary approach in a defined context will lead to a high level of patient care." Acta Neurochirurgica, vol. 144, No. 12/2002
