SPONTANEOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF A CAUDATE NUCLEUS ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION FOLLOWING EXTERNAL VENTRICULAR DRAINAGE: A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital vascular anomalies that can cause life-threatening haemorrhages. Spontaneous AVM thrombosis is extremely rare and is not fully understood. A 15-year-old female presented with severe headache and confusion. Computed tomography (CT) revealed intraventricular haemorrhage, leading to urgent external ventricular drainage (EVD). Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed an AVM located in the right caudate nucleus head, supplied by the lateral lenticulostriate artery and draining into the deep venous system. At the 2-month follow-up, DSA showed complete disappearance of the AVM. This case highlights the rare phenomenon of spontaneous AVM thrombosis, potentially influenced by haemorrhage, venous outflow obstruction, and EVD placement. While spontaneous resolution is possible, longterm imaging follow-up is essential due to the risk of delayed recanalization.