🧠 Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade
Grade a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) for surgical risk with the Spetzler-Martin scale (grade 1–5).
Higher grades favor radiosurgery/embolization or observation.
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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
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| AVM maximum diameter | Small < 3 cm (1) |
|---|---|
| Adjacent eloquent brain | Non-eloquent (0) |
| Venous drainage | Superficial only (0) |
→S-M grade1
- Components：size + eloquence + deep venous drainage
| AVM maximum diameter | Large > 6 cm (3) |
|---|---|
| Adjacent eloquent brain | Eloquent (1) |
| Venous drainage | Deep component (1) |
→S-M grade5
- Components：size + eloquence + deep venous drainage
Frequently asked questions
- What is Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade?
- Grade a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) for surgical risk with the Spetzler-Martin scale (grade 1–5).
- How is Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade calculated? What is the core formula?
- Grade = size (1–3) + eloquence (0–1) + deep venous drainage (0–1). I–II low surgical risk, III intermediate, IV–V high risk.
- When is Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade used?
- Estimate microsurgical morbidity/mortality risk and support treatment selection.
- What are the key clinical points for Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade?
- 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.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Spetzler-Martin AVM Grade calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: AVM maximum diameter Small < 3 cm (1), Adjacent eloquent brain Non-eloquent (0), Venous drainage Superficial only (0) → Result: S-M grade 1（Components: size + eloquence + deep venous drainage） Inputs: AVM maximum diameter Large > 6 cm (3), Adjacent eloquent brain Eloquent (1), Venous drainage Deep component (1) → Result: S-M grade 5（Components: size + eloquence + deep venous drainage）