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Right-Hemisphere Language Dominance in a Case of Left-Hemisphere Arteriovenous Malformation

Veterans Administration Hospital, Madison, Wisconsin

Abstract

This paper reports a case of surgical removal of a left-hemisphere arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in a left-handed adult without subsequent speech or language deficit. Preoperative intracarotid amobarbital testing indicated right-hemisphere language dominance. Our patient demonstrated no language involvement prior to or following surgery. We speculate the congenital nature of a left-hemisphere AVM may dictate right-hemisphere language dominance, thereby explaining the lack of residuals following removal of AVMs in left-hemisphere speech and motor areas.