Abstract: To subject paraffin processed specimens of 22 cases of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and 22 cases of cavernous malformations (CMs) to immunohistochemical staining. Two angiogenic factors were examined, i.e. vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The results of immunostaining were analyzed by two observes blinded to the antibody and lesion type, and were evaluated in three classes. All 44 lesions were stained positive for VEGF, with the AVMs staining somewhat more intensely (P<0.01). 13 of 22 AVMs and 17 of 22 CMs demonstrated bFGF with different staining intense (P<0.01). The staining of VEGF in CMs had difference with lesions hemorrhaged or not (P<0.05). The results demonstrate that angiogenic growth factors are expressed in all types of cerebral vascular malformations. The pattern of expression suggests diffuse activation of angiogenesis without specific relation to individual vessel types.

Key words: vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations