Predictors of growth, recurrence, and high-risk features in pediatric brain arteriovenous malformation (project 1)

Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) are dynamic vascular lesions that can grow, and in some cases grow back (recur) after treatment. The factors that cause these vessels to grow, recur, or rupture are not well understood, especially in the pediatric population where it has been reported that 20% of cases can recur after definitive surgical resection within 5 years. By understanding when AVM features develop, doctors will be better able to monitor and develop new drug treatments for bAVM, which do not currently exist.

The purpose of this study is to identify imaging characteristics and blood markers that may explain how these blood vessels grow or change over time. We are prospectively enrolling pediatric bAVM cases, collecting blood samples at multiple visits, and following them annually with advanced research images in addition to standard clinical images. This project is one of three projects awarded to the UCSF Center of Excellence in Hemorrhagic Stroke Research.

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