Systematic review demonstrates comparative effectiveness of surgery and embolization for managing arteriovenous malformations, suggesting need for standardized outcomes.
A surgical strategy (resection ± preoperative embolization) yielded the highest obliteration rate in selected, typically compact lesions, without an increased risk of complications compared with embolization or radiosurgery. These rates, particularly for radiosurgery, may increase with longer follow-up lengths. Improvements in embolization techniques over time suggest a growing role for endovascular therapy, particularly as an adjunct to surgery. However, heterogeneity in lesion classification limits the ability to draw definitive treatment recommendations. Standardized diagnostic and outcome reporting frameworks are needed to guide future studies.
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Bekelman et al. (2026) studied this question.
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