Factors associated with seizure occurrence and long-term seizure control in pediatric brain arteriovenous malformation: a retrospective analysis of 89 patients

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined seizures in pediatric brain arteriovenous malformation. In our study, risk factors associated with seizure occurrence and long-term seizure control outcomes after different treatments in pediatric arteriovenous malformation patients were investigated. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted with clinical data from a cohort of 89 pediatric brain arteriovenous malformation patients acquired between 2008 and 2013. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess risk factors associated with seizure incidence. Patients who presented with seizure before treatment were evaluated using the Engel classification during the follow-up period. RESULTS: A higher risk of seizure occurrence was observed in large size and unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations using multivariate logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05). A total of 22 children, who presented with seizure before the interventions, were included in subsequent analysis. During a mean follow-up period of 2.3 years after the intervention, 12 (55 %) of these children were classified as Engel class I after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Seizures were the most common symptom in unruptured bAVMs. Size of the brain arteriovenous malformation is highly significant to seizure occurrence. Patients with cerebral hemorrhage are prone to having an acute seizure occurrence. The different therapies examined all improved seizure control to varying degrees. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12883-015-0402-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.