Arterial spin labeling perfusion-weighted MRI for long-term follow-up of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation after stereotactic radiosurgery

We present a longitudinal series of arterial spin-labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) in a patient with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Pretreatment ASL-MRI showed high signal intensity in both the nidus and draining veins, and the latter signal abnormality gradually moved proximally by 14 months after SRS. At 24 months, the signal abnormalities finally disappeared, indicating complete obliteration of the nidus. The hemodynamic changes in the AVM were clearly visualized in the longitudinal ASL-MRI series, thus this non-invasive MR method may be useful not only for detecting AVMs but also for assessment of their response after SRS.