Clinical Application of Cerebral Endovascular Balloon Catheter for Arteriovenous Malformation: Case Report

A case of occipital arteriovenous malformation (AVM), successfully treated by using a detachable balloon catheter, was reported. The patient was a 25-year-old female who developed a photogenic seizure. Selective left internal carotid angiography showed an AVM in the occipital lobe (Luessenhop Grade II). Selective angiography using a non-detachable balloon catheter (elimination method) was performed for the detailed preoperative examination. A tolerance test during the temporary occlusion of each feeder was performed. At the same time the oxygen content of arterial and internal jugular blood was measured before and after occlusion of main feeders. Just before the operation, selective embolization of the main feeding arteries from the posterior cerebral artery with a detachable balloon was performed. The angiography following embolization showed devascularization of two-thirds of the AVM nidus. Surgical resection was performed without difficulty. Total blood loss was estimated to be less than 200 ml. Embolization using a detachable balloon catheter seemed to be an effective adjunctive treatment prior to operative removal of AVM.