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Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade

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Computes the Spetzler-Martin grade (I–V) for brain arteriovenous malformations from nidus size, eloquence of adjacent brain, and pattern of venous drainage, and maps the sum to a surgical-risk tier.

Also searched as: arteriovenous malformation · neurosurgery · angiography · vascular · brain

Nidus size (largest diameter)

Measure largest nidus diameter on angiography (or cross-sectional imaging correlated with angio).

Eloquent adjacent brain (sensorimotor, language, visual cortex, hypothalamus, thalamus, internal capsule, brainstem, cerebellar peduncles/nuclei, or directly adjacent)

Eloquent = 1 point; non-eloquent = 0.

Venous drainage
Information
Incomplete input
  • Please provide: nidus size.

How this tool works

Spetzler-Martin (1986) sums three features: largest nidus diameter (<3 cm = 1, 3–6 cm = 2, >6 cm = 3), eloquence of adjacent brain (0/1), and venous drainage (superficial only = 0, any deep venous drainage = 1). Total 1–5 corresponds to grades I–V. Higher grades predict greater risk of new permanent neurological deficit after microsurgical resection. Grade III is heterogeneous; supplemented scales (age, compactness, rupture) further refine operability. Diffuse whole-brain AVMs are sometimes labeled grade VI and considered inoperable.

References

Implemented from the cited published sources. Educational use only; confirm against current guidelines before clinical use.

Clinical questions that use this

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