Compactness index: a radiosurgery outcome predictor for patients with unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations

Po Wei Huang, Syu Jyun Peng, David Hung Chi Pan, Huai Che Yang, Jo Ting Tsai, Cheng Ying Shiau, I. Chang Su, Ching Jen Chen, Hsiu Mei Wu, Chung Jung Lin, Wen Yuh Chung, Wan Yuo Guo, Wei Lun Lo, Shao Wen Lai, Cheng Chia Lee*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The goal of the study was to define and quantify brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM) compactness and to assess its effect on outcomes after Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for unruptured bAVMs. METHODS Unsupervised machine learning with fuzzy c-means clustering was used to differentiate the tissue constituents of bAVMs on T2-weighted MR images. The percentages of vessel, brain, and CSF were quantified. The proposed compactness index, defined as the ratio of vasculature tissue to brain tissue, categorized bAVM morphology into compact, intermediate, and diffuse types according to the tertiles of this index. The outcomes of interest were complete obliteration and radiation-induced changes (RICs). RESULTS A total of 209 unruptured bAVMs treated with GKRS were retrospectively included. The median imaging and clinical follow-up periods were 49.2 and 72.3 months, respectively. One hundred seventy-three bAVMs (82.8%) achieved complete obliteration after a median latency period of 43.3 months. The rates of RIC and permanent RIC were 76.1% and 3.8%, respectively. Post-GKRS hemorrhage occurred in 14 patients (6.7%), resulting in an annual bleeding risk of 1.0%. Compact bAVM, smaller bAVM volume, and exclusively superficial venous drainage were independent predictors of complete obliteration. Diffuse bAVM morphology, larger bAVM volume, and higher margin dose were independently associated with RICs. CONCLUSIONS The compactness index quantitatively describes the compactness of unruptured bAVMs. Moreover, compact bAVMs may have a higher obliteration rate and a smaller risk of RICs than diffuse bAVMs. This finding could help guide decision-making regarding GKRS treatment for patients with unruptured bAVMs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)241-250
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Neurosurgery
Volume138
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2023

Keywords

  • adverse radiation effect
  • arteriovenous malformation compactness
  • automated segmentation
  • complete obliteration
  • fuzzy c-means clustering
  • Gamma Knife
  • radiation-induced change
  • stereotactic radiosurgery
  • vascular disorders

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Compactness index: a radiosurgery outcome predictor for patients with unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this