Introduction: Intracranial arterovenous malformations are challenging to treat. Complete understanding of the global and local hemodynamics have not been completely elucidated. Low and medium grade AVM's in the occipital lobe, as a result of their flow dynamics, may have a predilection for venous hypertension and associated headache or hemorrhage.

Methods: The Barrow Neurological Institute AVM database was retrospectively reviewed for surgically treated Occipital AVM's. Patients who presented with a clinical complaint of headache were evaluated for grade, associated hemorrhage and symptom resolution after resection.

Results: 88 AVM's were identified as occipitally based. 36 were in multiple lobes, while 52 were identified as solely in the occipital lobe. 26 presented with headache and 27 presented with associated hemorrhage. The majority of headache symptoms resolved in --% of patients.

Conclusions: Occipital based AVM's may have a predilection for associated hemorrhage, and headache, these characteristics may in part be related to associated venous hypertension.

Patient Care: Improve the understanding of occipital based AVM's

Learning Objectives: Low to medium grade Occipital based AVMs can potentially present preferentially with signs of venous hypertension.

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