🧠 Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade
Grade a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) for surgical risk with the Spetzler-Martin scale (grade 1–5).
Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade
AVM maximum diameter
Adjacent eloquent brain
Venous drainage
When to use
Estimate microsurgical morbidity/mortality risk and support treatment selection.
How it works
Grade = size (1–3) + eloquence (0–1) + deep venous drainage (0–1). I–II low surgical risk, III intermediate, IV–V high risk.
Key points
- Higher grades favor radiosurgery/embolization or observation.
- Eloquent areas include motor/sensory/language/visual cortex, thalamus, internal capsule, brainstem and cerebellar peduncles.
- The Lawton-Young supplementary score can refine decisions.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.