Regression of cerebral arteriovenous malformation in the puerperium.

Abstract

Spontaneous regression of a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare occurrence. The authors describe a patient presenting with a ruptured AVM with a feeding artery aneurysm during second trimester of pregnancy. The feeding artery with aneurysm was clipped and the hematoma removed. The AVM subsequently spontaneously regressed by serial angiography during the postpartum period. The authors believe this is the first reported case of spontaneous regression of cerebral AVM early after pregnancy. The dramatic regression noted in the postpartum period in this case suggests the particular significance of hormonal factors in the dynamics of growth and rupture of an AVM.