Epilepsy Secondary to a Giant AVM: A Case Report

Intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are vascular anomalies that can present with intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, or neurological deficits. In this case, we present a woman with a giant right frontoparietal AVM (Spetzler-Martin Grade V) initially diagnosed after an intracerebral hemorrhage at Age 6. Surgical, endovascular, and radiosurgical treatments were not viable due to the lesion's size and eloquent location. Over time, the patient developed focal seizures, including catamenial patterns and left-arm spastic monoparesis. Initial antiseizure medications (ASMs) such as carbamazepine and phenytoin failed to provide adequate control at optimal dosage, with phenytoin exacerbating seizure frequency. Partial seizure control was eventually achieved with a combination of levetiracetam and carbamazepine. Neuroimaging showcases a large AVM, while EEG revealed focal epileptiform activity. This case illustrates the complexity of treating epilepsy secondary to giant AVMs, emphasizing the need for individualized ASM strategies and collaborative, multidisciplinary management.