Open AccessHigher Cortical Disorders: An Unusual Presentation of an Arteriovenous Malformation
Author(s) -
J J von Overbeeke,
Niels Bosma,
Anna Verdonck,
A C von Huffelen
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
neurosurgery/neurosurgery online
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.485
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1081-1281
pISSN - 0148-396X
DOI - 10.1227/00006123-198712000-00009
Subject(s) - medicine , arteriovenous malformation , neuropsychology , presentation (obstetrics) , resection , surgery , radiology , cognition , psychiatry
The authors present a patient with a large arteriovenous malformation in the temperoparietooccipital region of the dominant hemisphere that caused seizures, a homonymous hemianopia, and broad neuropsychological disturbances probably caused by a cerebral steal syndrome. There was no history of hemorrhage. Surgical resection resulted in marked improvement of neuropsychological function and disappearance of the hemianopia. The authors discuss the pre- and postoperative neuropsychological findings, the pathogenesis of the steal phenomenon, and the indications concerning the resection of this large and deep-seated arteriovenous malformation in a functionally important region of the left hemisphere. They state that surgical resection is the method of choice.