De Novo Development of a Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have been commonly regarded as congenital. However, this suspected origin has been challenged by reports of de novo cerebral AVM. We have described a 25-year-old man without any known history of cerebrovascular disease, in whom cranial imaging demonstrated the de novo appearance of a pial AVM. Initial magnetic resonance imaging at 11 years of age had revealed the presence of a 2-cm parafalcine arachnoid cyst. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging performed 14 years later showed a new cerebral AVM in the left frontal lobe, which was then confirmed angiographically. The findings from our case report and from 9 similar reports challenge the traditional theory that AVMs constitute congenital lesions.