Clinical presentation and prognostic factors of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas: an overview

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. E17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Fugate ◽  
Giuseppe Lanzino ◽  
Alejandro A. Rabinstein
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord ◽  
Lower Extremity Weakness ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Signal Abnormality ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Sensory Disturbances ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), the most common type of spinal cord vascular malformation, can be a challenge to diagnose and treat promptly. The disorder is rare, and the presenting clinical symptoms and signs are nonspecific and insidious at onset. Spinal dural AVFs preferentially affect middle-aged men, and patients most commonly present with gait abnormality or lower-extremity weakness and sensory disturbances. Symptoms gradually progress or decline in a stepwise manner and are commonly associated with pain and sphincter disturbances. Surgical or endovascular disconnection of the fistula has a high success rate with a low rate of morbidity. Motor symptoms are most likely to improve after treatment, followed by sensory disturbances, and lastly sphincter disturbances. Patients with severe neurological deficits at presentation tend to have worse posttreatment functional outcomes than those with mild or moderate pretreatment disability. However, improvement or stabilization of symptoms is seen in the vast majority of treated patients, and thus treatment is justified even in patients with substantial neurological deficits. The extent of intramedullary spinal cord T2 signal abnormality does not correlate with outcomes and should not be used as a prognostic factor.

Asymptomatic spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas: pathomechanical considerations

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 441-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Sato ◽  
Karel G. TerBrugge ◽  
Timo Krings
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Dorsal Side ◽  
Venous Hypertension ◽  
Venous Outflow ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Upper Thoracic ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Object Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) consist of a shunt with converging feeding vessels arising from radiculomeningeal arteries and draining retrogradely via a radicular vein into the perimedullary veins, thereby causing progressive myelopathy due to venous hypertension in the spinal cord. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that the obstruction of radicular venous outlets could be an additional factor inducing symptomatic venous hypertension due to a decreased outflow in SDAVFs. Methods The authors compared the clinical and imaging findings in patients with asymptomatic SDAVFs identified incidentally at the upper thoracic region with the findings in symptomatic patients who harbored SDAVFs at the same level. Results All symptomatic patients presented with medullary dysfunction. The mean age of patients with asymptomatic SDAVF was 51.5 years, approximately 10 years younger than the patients with symptomatic SDAVF (64.1 years old). Despite the existence of dilated perimedullary vessels in the dorsal side of the spinal cord in all patients, the spinal cord edema seen in symptomatic patients was not detected on the MR images obtained in patients with asymptomatic SDAVF. The spinal angiograms of the asymptomatic patients distinctively demonstrated early radicular venous outflow from affected perimedullary veins to the extradural venous plexus as a potential alternate route for the venous hypertension to be released. Conclusions Obstruction of the radicular venous outflow could be an important factor in inducing spinal congestive edema due to venous hypertension, as well as subsequent clinical symptoms of SDAVFs.

Late diagnosis of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas resulting in severe lower-extremity weakness: a case series

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. e39-e44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivelin Iovtchev ◽  
Nurith Hiller ◽  
Yona Ofran ◽  
Isabella Schwartz ◽  
Jose Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Late Diagnosis ◽  
Lower Extremity Weakness ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

scholarly journals Spinal Epidural Arteriovenous Fistula: A Unique Pathway into the Perimedullary Vein

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Lim ◽  
I.S. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Epidural Space ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Venous Plexus ◽  
Previous Surgery ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Spinal Epidural

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare vascular malformations in the spinal dura, fed by dural branches of the radicular arteries, and drain primarily into intradural venous plexuses. They may cause elevated medullary venous pressure and produce a progressive myelopathy. We describe a case of AVF in the epidural space of the previous surgery site of L3 and it showed a unique complex venous pathway into the perimedullary vein, leading to classic clinical symptoms of venous congestion in the spinal cord. The shunt was draining into bilateral epidural venous plexus and then to the paravertebral veins at the level of L2. The venous outflow entered to the epidural space again and finally refluxed into the intradural perimedullary vein.

scholarly journals Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: modification of angiographic classification scales based on new natural history data

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. E14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory J. Zipfel ◽  
Manish N. Shah ◽  
Daniel Refai ◽  
Ralph G. Dacey ◽  
Colin P. Derdeyn
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Intracerebral Hemorrhage ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Venous Drainage ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Neurological Injury ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Cortical Venous Drainage

This article presents a modification to the existing classification scales of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas based on newly published research regarding the relationship of clinical symptoms and outcome. The 2 commonly used scales, the Borden-Shucart and Cognard scales, rely entirely on angiographic features for categorization. The most critical anatomical feature is the identification of cortical venous drainage (CVD; Borden-Shucart Types II and III and Cognard Types IIb, IIa + b, III, IV, and V), as this feature identifies lesions at high risk for future hemorrhage or ischemic neurological injury. Yet recent data has emerged indicating that within these high-risk groups, most of the risk for future injury is in the subgroup presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage or nonhemorrhagic neurological deficits. The authors have defined this subgroup as symptomatic CVD. Patients who present incidentally or with symptoms of pulsatile tinnitus or ophthalmological phenomena have a less aggressive clinical course. The authors have defined this subgroup as asymptomatic CVD. Based on recent data the annual rate of intracerebral hemorrhage is 7.4–7.6% for patients with symptomatic CVD compared with 1.4–1.5% for those with asymptomatic CVD. The addition of asymptomatic CVD or symptomatic CVD as modifiers to the Borden-Shucart and Cognard systems improves their accuracy for risk stratification of patients with high-grade dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Presenting with Myelopathy

2019 ◽  
pp. 279-286
Author(s):  
Vinayak Narayan ◽  
Anil Nanda
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistula ◽  
Endovascular Embolization ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Degenerative Spinal Disease ◽  
Spinal Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Abstract: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas are a rare cause of congestive myelopathy. Symptoms are insidious in onset and may be confused with degenerative spinal disease. MRI characteristically shows edema of the spinal cord with serpiginous flow voids that follow the surface of the spinal cord. Careful evaluation with spinal angiography is required to ensure accurate diagnosis. Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas differ from spinal arteriovenous malformations in that most fistulas have only a single fistulous point without a nidus. Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas may be treated successfully with either surgical resection or endovascular embolization depending on their anatomy. Earlier treatment is associated with better outcomes.

scholarly journals Spinal Dural AVFs: Classifications and Advanced Imaging

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Michihiro Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Thoracolumbar Spine ◽  
Venous Congestion ◽  
Advanced Imaging ◽  
Imaging Technology ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Progressive Myelopathy ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

AbstractSpinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) are the most common vascular shunts of the spine. They occur predominantly in men (more than 80%), commonly involve the thoracolumbar spine, and usually cause progressive myelopathy because of venous congestion of the spinal cord. Recent advanced imaging technology can visualize the detailed angioarchitecture of the spinal cord, and this provides more information of the regional microanatomy related with the shunt disease. We retrospectively analyzed the location of the shunt with adjacent vasculatures and assessed the efficacy and the sensitivity of each imaging modality. Based on these data, a new concept of classification for SDAVFs was reviewed.

Surgical treatment of Type I spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. E3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander E. Ropper ◽  
Bradley A. Gross ◽  
Rose Du
Keyword(s):  
Low Flow ◽  
Bladder Function ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Type I ◽  
Microsurgical Treatment ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Object Type I spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) are low-flow vascular shunts fed by radicular arteries in patients who most often present with myelopathy. Although some fistulas are amenable to endovascular embolization, nearly all can be treated with direct microsurgical obliteration. Methods The authors reviewed their experience in treating 214 craniospinal arteriovenous malformations and/or fistulas over the last 8 years. Of these, 19 were spinal (9%), of which 15 (79%) were Type I SDAVFs. The authors reviewed the patients' epidemiological characteristics, presenting symptoms, and SDAVF angioarchitecture in all cases. They subsequently analyzed surgical obliteration rates and outcomes of all 11 patients who underwent fistula microsurgical obliteration. Results In all patients who underwent microsurgical treatment, complete angiographic obliteration of the fistula was achieved. At follow-up, 10 (91%) of 11 patients exhibited improvement, 1 patient (9%) was the same, and no patients were worse. Specifically, 8 (73%) of 11 patients had improvement in strength and sensation, 5 (71%) of 7 had improvement of bowel/bladder function, and 3 (60%) of 5 had improvement of preoperative paresthesias. There were no wound infections, CSF leaks, or permanent neurological deficits. Conclusions Microsurgical treatment of SDAVF provides direct access to the fistula point, allowing for high obliteration rates with excellent long-term improvement of preoperative deficits and limited periprocedural complications.

Mirror-Image Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas at the Craniocervical Junction

Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. E1166-E1171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jumpei Oshita ◽  
Satoshi Yamaguchi ◽  
Shinji Ohba ◽  
Kaoru Kurisu
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Urinary Incontinence ◽  
Computed Tomographic Angiography ◽  
Craniocervical Junction ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Mirror Site ◽  
Tomographic Angiography ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE We report an extremely rare case with mirror-site spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) at the craniocervical junction. Although multiple spinal DAVFs have been reported in the literature, complete mirror-site lesions with fistulas and feeding arteries in the symmetric position have not been previously described. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 74-year-old man presented with walking disturbance, urinary incontinence, and constipation progressing over a 14-month period. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed a high-intensity area in the spinal cord at the level from C4 to C6 and multiple flow voids at the surface of the spinal cord. Three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography revealed bilateral DAVFs located in the mirror site of the craniocervical junction. Direct surgery with suboccipital craniectomy and C1 laminectomy revealed dilated tortuous red veins on the dorsal surface of the spinal cord. We found bilateral symmetric red veins around the dural penetration of the vertebral artery. Both red veins were successfully interrupted with the aneurysmal clips. Postoperative 3-dimensional computed tomographic angiography revealed a disappearance of the bilateral fistulas. Magnetic resonance images obtained 6 months after the surgery confirmed the disappearance of the intramedullary high-intensity area and flow voids. The symptoms before the operation improved after surgery, especially urinary incontinence and constipation, with slight walking disturbance. CONCLUSION Because fistulas in the present case existed at the same spinal level, we found multiple fistulas on the first examination. This early notification resulted in a good outcome from the first operation. If patients with spinal DAVFs have rapidly progressing symptoms, one should suspect multiple fistulas.

scholarly journals Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas (FAVDR) with Peri- Medullary Venous Drainage: Clinical, Radiological and Therapeutic Aspects (Case Report and Literature Review)

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 32-33
Author(s):  
Tarek Mesbahi ◽  
Abderrahmane Rafiq ◽  
Nidal Amara ◽  
Marouane Makhchoune ◽  
Abdelhakim Lakhdar
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Clinical Picture ◽  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Venous Drainage ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Chronic Myelopathy ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas are rare and often unrecognized,  they occur predominantly in men, with an initial clinical picture most often  misleading made of chronic myelopathy in the absence of treatment, the evolution is slowly towards a definitive paraplegia. We report the case of a patient referred for a table of spinal cord compression revealing a spinal dural fistula with perimedullary venous drainage treated urgently, due to the worsening of the clinical picture. The standard treatment consists of surgical or endovascular exclusion of the fistula (in our case the fistula was surgically excluded). From this case and based on the literature, we will specify the a, clinical, radiological characteristics as well as the prognosis of these malformations, and we will discuss the possibilities of therapeutic management.

scholarly journals Timing, severity of deficits, and clinical improvement after surgery for spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Safaee ◽  
Aaron J. Clark ◽  
Jan-Karl Burkhardt ◽  
Ethan A. Winkler ◽  
Michael T. Lawton
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Improvement ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Motor Deficits ◽  
Symptom Duration ◽  
Selective Embolization ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Abnormal Gait ◽  
Improved Outcomes ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

OBJECTIVESpinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are rare vascular abnormalities caused by arteriovenous shunting. They often form at the dural root sleeve between a radicular feeding artery and draining medullary vein causing venous congestion and edema, decreased perfusion, and ischemia of the spinal cord. Treatment consists of either surgical ligation of the draining vein or selective embolization via an endovascular approach. There is a paucity of data on which modality provides more durable and effective outcomes.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database by the senior author to assess clinical outcomes in patients undergoing surgical treatment of spinal dAVFs. Preoperative and postoperative motor and Aminoff-Logue Scale (ALS) scores were collected.RESULTSA total of 41 patients with 44 spinal dAVFs were identified, with a mean patient age of 64 years. The mean symptom duration was 14 months, with weakness (82%), urinary symptoms (47%), and sensory symptoms (29%) at presentation. The fistula locations were as follows: 30 thoracic, 9 lumbar, 3 sacral, and 2 cervical. Five patients had normal motor and ALS scores at presentation. Among the remaining 36 patients with motor deficits or abnormal gait and micturition at presentation, 78% experienced an improvement while the remaining 22% continued to be stable. There was a trend toward improved outcomes in patients with shorter symptom duration; mean symptom duration among patients with clinical improvement was 13 months compared with 22 months among those without improvement. Additionally, rates of improvement were higher for lower thoracic and lumbosacral dAVFs (85% and 83%) compared with those in the upper thoracic spine (57%). No patient developed recurrent fistulas or worsening neurological deficits.CONCLUSIONSSurgery is associated with excellent outcomes in the treatment of spinal dAVFs. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, with a trend toward improved outcomes. No patient in this study had fistula recurrence or worsening of symptoms. Among patients with abnormal motor or ALS scores, 78% improved after surgery. Therapeutic embolization is an option for some lesions, but for cases with unfavorable anatomy where embolization is not feasible, surgery is a safe option associated with high success.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document