327. Stroke. 2000 Oct;31(10):2466-77.
Experimental radiosurgery simulations using a theoretical model of cerebral
arteriovenous malformations.
Massoud TF(1), Hademenos GJ, De Salles AA, Solberg TD.
Author information:
(1)Department of Radiological Sciences, Division of Neurosurgery, University of
California at Los Angeles, School of Medicine and Medical Center, USA.
tfm23@cam.ac.uk
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A novel biomathematical arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
model based on electric network analysis was used to investigate theoretically
the potential role of intranidal hemodynamic perturbations in elevating the risk
of rupture after simulated brain AVM radiosurgery.
METHODS: The effects of radiation on 28 interconnected plexiform and fistulous
AVM nidus vessels were simulated by predefined random or stepwise occlusion.
Electric circuit analysis revealed the changes in intranidal flow, pressure, and
risk of rupture at intervals of 3 months during a 3-year latency period after
simulated partial/complete irradiation of the nidus using doses /=25 Gy.
An expression for risk of rupture was derived on the basis of the functional
distribution of the critical radii of component vessels. The theoretical effects
of radiation were also tested on AVM nidus vessels with progressively increasing
elastic modulus (E:) and wall thickness during the latency period, simulating
their eventual fibrosis.
RESULTS: In an AVM with E=5. 0x10(4) dyne/cm(2), 4 (14.3%) of a total 28 sets of
AVM radiosurgery simulations revealed theoretical nidus rupture (risk of rupture
>/=100%). Three of these were associated with partial nidus coverage and 1 with
complete treatment. All ruptures occurred after random occlusion of nidus vessels
in AVMs receiving low-dose radiosurgery. Intranidal hemodynamic perturbations
were observed in all cases of AVM rupture; the occlusion of a fistulous component
resulted in intranidal rerouting of flow and escalation of the intravascular
pressure in adjacent plexiform components. Risk of rupture was found to correlate
with nidus vessel wall strength: a low E: of 1.9x10(4) dyne/cm(2) resulted in a
92.8% incidence of AVM rupture, whereas a higher E: of 7.0x10(4) dyne/cm(2)
resulted in only a 3.6% incidence of AVM rupture. A dramatic reduction in rupture
incidence was observed when increasing fibrosis of the nidus was modeled during
the latency period.
CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the theoretical occurrence of AVM hemorrhage after
radiosurgery was low, particularly when radiation-induced fibrosis of nidus
vessels was considered. When rupture does occur, it would appear from a
theoretical standpoint that the occlusion of intranidal fistulas or
larger-caliber plexiform vessels could be a significant culprit in the generation
of critical intranidal hemodynamic surges resulting in nidus rupture. The
described AVM model should serve as a useful research tool for further
theoretical investigations of cerebral AVM radiosurgery and its hemodynamic
sequelae.
PMID: 11022081 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]