Expert pediatric neurosurgical care helps teenager return to ice hockey, normal life

When 14-year-old Vermont student-athlete Kian started developing migraines so severe that it was difficult to stand upright, an MRI revealed a serious diagnosis: He had an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare and dangerous tangle of blood vessels in the brain that can bleed and cause seizures or stroke-like symptoms.

Kian’s AVM was large — about the size of a grape — deeply embedded and located near the brain’s motor center, meaning surgery carried a high risk of permanent loss of body movement. At the same time, leaving it untreated posed a 90% risk of rupture during his lifetime.

After consulting multiple neurosurgeons, Kian and his family chose Katrina Ducis, M.D., on the team at the University of Vermont Health–UVM Medical Center. Ducis currently is the only pediatric neurosurgeon in the state. She explained the risks and options, and the family decided surgery was necessary.

Before the main operation, an interventional neuroradiologist reduced bleeding risk by blocking blood flow to the AVM. Ducis and her team spent nearly eight hours removing the mass. One small portion remained too deep to remove safely, so Kian received a short course of radiation therapy.

Kian experienced a lengthy recovery that included relearning how to walk. His determination and intensive rehabilitation therapy were key to his progress. Within nine months, Kian returned to playing ice hockey and made his high school varsity team. Therapists and clinicians involved in his care noted his strong work ethic and “absolutely amazing” recovery.