Reflections upon the nature and management of intracranial and intraspinal vascular malformations and fistulae

1994 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 606-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Mullan
Keyword(s):  
Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Venous Malformation ◽  
Venous Pressure ◽  
Venous Occlusion ◽  
Vein Of Galen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Permanent Cure ◽  
Glue Embolization ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Evidence is presented that dural fistulae are preceded by sinus thrombosis and that their danger lies in arterialized venous pressure within the cranium or the orbit. Arterial side occlusion leads to recurrence, while venous side occlusion leads to permanent cure. Vein of Galen aneurysms embrace some features of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM's), namely a reticulum, and some features of dural fistulae, namely evidence of previous sinus anomaly and direct drainage into a sinus. These aneurysms are also permanently cured by venous side thrombosis, although the dangers inherent in their reticulum demand that this be done in stages or preceded by arterial side embolization. A very limited experience with venous end occlusion of cerebral (and spinal) AVM's suggests that they, too, can be permanently cured by venous side occlusion without excision. Their reticulum demands maximum, multistage, preliminary arterial side embolization together with intraoperative hypotension during the venous occlusion stage in order to minimize intracerebral hemorrhage or swelling. Schematic models of both fistulae and malformations are presented, together with reasons why particulate embolization is safer than glue embolization. The theory is advanced that dural fistulae, vein of Galen aneurysms, and AVM's are venous- rather than arterial-based lesions, which is consistent with the experience that permanent cure has been effected by venous side occlusion without excision in all three anomalies. It is speculated that there may be a developmental link between AVM and the venous malformation, the AVM being essentially a fistulized venous malformation.

Therapeutic alternatives for vein of Galen vascular malformations

1993 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 438-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Lylyk ◽  
Fernando Viñuela ◽  
Jacques E. Dion ◽  
Gary Duckwiler ◽  
Guido Guglielmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Congestive Heart Failure ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Severe Congestive Heart Failure ◽  
Type I ◽  
Vein Of Galen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Fine Print

✓ From September, 1986, to March, 1990, the authors treated 28 children harboring a vein of Galen vascular malformation. Eleven (39.3%) of the patients were neonates, 13 (46.4%) were 1 to 2 years old, and four (14.3%) were more than 2 years old. Fifteen patients (53.6%) presented with severe congestive heart failure, six (21.4%) had seizures, four (14.3%) had hydrocephalus, and three (10.7%) presented with intraventricular hemorrhage. Based on the Yaşargil classification of malformations, 10 lesions (35.7%) were Type I, seven (25%) were Type II, eight (28.6%) were Type III, and three (10.7%) were Type IV. In 11 patients (39.3%), a combined transfemoral, transarterial, and transvenous embolization of the vein of Galen malformation was performed. A pure transtorcular approach was utilized in eight patients (28.6%), and postembolization surgical clipping of arterial feeders was performed in two cases with intractable congestive heart failure. Complete anatomical occlusion of the galenic malformation was achieved in 13 patients (46.4%). An immediate postembolization improvement in the patient's clinical status was obtained in 23 (82.1%) of 28 patients and a good long-term clinical outcome was seen in 17 patients (60.7%). Five deaths (17.9%) occurred in this series of 28 patients; three (10.7%) were related to a transtorcular embolization and two (7.1%) to the unchanged natural history of the disease.

Association of venous and true arteriovenous malformation: a rare entity among mixed vascular malformations of the brain

1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard Meyer ◽  
Armin P. Stangl ◽  
Johannes Schramm
Keyword(s):  
Arteriovenous Malformation ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Venous Malformation ◽  
Rare Entity ◽  
Venous Malformations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hemorrhagic Infarction ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Cerebrovascular Malformation ◽  
Fine Print

✓ In this article the authors report the case of a mixed cerebrovascular malformation in which a true arteriovenous malformation (AVM), harboring a nidus, is associated with a venous malformation that serves as the draining vein for the nidus. Despite the authors' preoperative rationale for exclusive extirpation of the AVM, an inadvertent injury and the obliteration of the venous malformation generated delayed postoperative neurological deterioration, which could clearly be attributed to venous hemorrhagic infarction. Because this is only the second instance of this type of mixed vascular malformation of the brain reported, which also underscores the concept of nonsurgical treatment of venous malformations, the authors discuss the diverse literature regarding mixed vascular malformations and the treatment of venous malformations.

The use of intraarterial papaverine in the management of vasospasm complicating arteriovenous malformation resection

1995 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 296-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael K. Morgan ◽  
Maurice J. Day ◽  
Nicholas Little ◽  
Verity Grinnell ◽  
William Sorby
Keyword(s):  
Arteriovenous Malformation ◽  
Perfusion Pressure ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Venous Occlusion ◽  
Neurological Deterioration ◽  
Unusual Complication ◽  
Content Type ◽  
First Case ◽  
Normal Perfusion Pressure Breakthrough ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors report two cases of treatment by intraarterial papaverine of cerebral vasospasm complicating the resection of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Both cases had successful reversal of vasospasm documented on angiography. In the first case sustained neurological improvement occurred, resulting in a normal outcome by the time of discharge. In the second case, neurological deterioration occurred with the development of cerebral edema. This complication was thought to be due to normal perfusion pressure breakthrough, on the basis of angiographic arterial vasodilation and increased cerebral blood flow. These two cases illustrate an unusual complication of surgery for AVMs and demonstrate that vasospasm (along with intracranial hemorrhage, venous occlusion, and normal perfusion pressure breakthrough) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of delayed neurological deterioration following resection of these lesions. Although intraarterial papaverine may be successful in dilating spastic arteries, it may also result in pathologically high flows following AVM resection. However, this complication has not been seen in our experience of treating aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage by this technique.

Giant arteriovenous fistula of the vein of Galen in early infancy treated successfully with surgery

1980 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 703-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Andres Alvarez-Garijo ◽  
Manuel Vila Mengual ◽  
Dario Taboada Gomila ◽  
Adela Alonso Martin
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistula ◽  
Vein Of Galen ◽  
Cerebral Damage ◽  
Left Hemiparesis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Feeding Vessels ◽  
Unusual Lesion ◽  
Persistent Hydrocephalus ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A giant arteriovenous fistula in a newborn infant was treated by surgical occlusion of the feeding vessels at 20 days of life. Congestive heart failure responded favorably to operative treatment. Because of persistent hydrocephalus, a shunt was inserted at 2 months of age. At 9 months of age, the child remained without signs of cardiac failure. Cerebral damage was manifested by a mild left hemiparesis. Successful surgical treatment of this unusual lesion in a neonate is exceptional.

Enlarged anterior spinal artery as collateral circulation

1974 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Karasawa ◽  
Haruhiko Kikuchi ◽  
Seiji Furuse ◽  
Toshisuke Sakaki ◽  
Yasumasa Makita
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Internal Carotid Artery ◽  
Collateral Circulation ◽  
Internal Carotid ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Anterior Spinal Artery ◽  
Left Internal Carotid Artery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vertebral Arteries ◽  
Fine Print

✓The authors report and discuss two cases in which collateral circulation could be angiographically demonstrated passing through the anterior spinal artery. Case 1 proved to have occlusions of the left internal carotid artery and both vertebral arteries. The basilar artery was visualized via the anterior spinal, the primitive trigeminal, and primitive otic arteries. The presence of multiple vascular malformations and an abnormal anterior spinal artery suggested that the latter had been functioning as collateral circulation since an embryonic stage. In Case 2, both internal carotids and both vertebral arteries were occluded by arteriosclerotic changes. It was assumed that the deleted anterior spinal artery visualized angiographically had developed into a collateral circulation with increasing age.

Dural sinus thrombosis and pseudotumor cerebri: unexpected complications of suboccipital craniotomy and translabyrinthine craniectomy

1999 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn L. Keiper ◽  
Jonathan D. Sherman ◽  
Thomas A. Tomsick ◽  
John M. Tew
Keyword(s):  
Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
Pseudotumor Cerebri ◽  
Transverse Sinus ◽  
Dural Sinus ◽  
Posterior Fossa Surgery ◽  
Dural Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
Mr Venography ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Suboccipital Craniotomy ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The goal of this study was to document the hazards associated with pseudotumor cerebri resulting from transverse sinus thrombosis after tumor resection. Dural sinus thrombosis is a rare and potentially serious complication of suboccipital craniotomy and translabyrinthine craniectomy. Pseudotumor cerebri may occur when venous hypertension develops secondary to outflow obstruction. Previous research indicates that occlusion of a single transverse sinus is well tolerated when the contralateral sinus remains patent.Methods. The authors report the results in five of a total of 107 patients who underwent suboccipital craniotomy or translabyrinthine craniectomy for resection of a tumor. Postoperatively, these patients developed headache, visual obscuration, and florid papilledema as a result of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). In each patient, the transverse sinus on the treated side was thrombosed; patency of the contralateral sinus was confirmed on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Four patients required lumboperitoneal or ventriculoperitoneal shunts and one required medical treatment for increased ICP. All five patients regained their baseline neurological function after treatment. Techniques used to avoid thrombosis during surgery are discussed.Conclusions. First, the status of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses should be documented using MR venography before patients undergo posterior fossa surgery. Second, thrombosis of a transverse or sigmoid sinus may not be tolerated even if the sinus is nondominant; vision-threatening pseudotumor cerebri may result. Third, MR venography is a reliable, noninvasive means of evaluating the venous sinuses. Fourth, if the diagnosis is made shortly after thrombosis, then direct endovascular thrombolysis with urokinase may be a therapeutic option. If the presentation is delayed, then ophthalmological complications of pseudotumor cerebri can be avoided by administration of a combination of acetazolamide, dexamethasone, lumbar puncture, and possibly lumboperitoneal shunt placement.

Effect of age on cerebral venous circulation disturbances in the rat

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 298-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Otsuka ◽  
Hiroyuki Nakase ◽  
Kiyoshi Nagata ◽  
Katsuhiro Ueda ◽  
Oliver Kempski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Occlusion ◽  
Aged Rats ◽  
Venous Flow ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Young Rats ◽  
Venous Circulation ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Venous Infarct ◽  
Group A ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Mild cerebral venous circulation disturbances (CVCDs) in aged patients are frequently known to cause unexpectedly severe postoperative complications in neurosurgical practice. The object of the present study was to determine whether there are age-related differences involved in vulnerability to CVCDs.Methods. Thirty-eight male Wistar rats were used. A single cortical vein with a 100-µm diameter was occluded photochemically by using rose bengal dye and fiberoptic illumination in young (Group Y, 19 animals aged 10–14 weeks) and aged (Group A, seven animals aged 80–100 weeks) rats. Five young and seven aged animals served as sham-operated controls. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was determined from local CBF, which was measured at 25 (5 × 5) identical locations, with the occluded vein located central to the scanning field, by using a laser Doppler scanning technique every 15 minutes for 90 minutes after venous occlusion. The cerebral venous flow pattern was examined using fluorescence angiography until 90 minutes after occlusion. Histological specimens were examined 24 hours after occlusion. In Group Y, rCBF did not change significantly after venous occlusion. However, in Group A, rCBF decreased rapidly beginning 15 minutes after occlusion. Significant intergroup differences were observed 30, 60, and 90 minutes after occlusion. Venous flow arrest, which resulted in venous infarct, was observed on angiography 90 minutes after occlusion in two (10.5%) of 19 young and six (85.7%) of seven aged rats. The venous thrombus in Group A rats was significantly larger than that in Group Y rats 90 minutes after occlusion. Venous infarction was seen in all aged rats (100%) and in six young rats (31.6%); the infarct size, expressed as a percentage of the size of the ipsilateral hemisphere, was significantly larger in aged rats than in young rats.Conclusions. This study demonstrated an age-related increase in the rate and size of venous infarct following vein occlusion, suggesting that the greater vulnerability to CVCDs in the aged brain might be attributed to early and extensive hypoperfusion of circumscribed brain areas drained by the occluded vein. The larger thrombus formation in aged animals indicates that a shift in the thrombogenetic/thrombolytic equilibrium is responsible for the observed effect.

Giant intracranial varices secondary to high-flow arteriovenous fistulae

1987 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando ViñUela ◽  
Charles G. Drake ◽  
Allan J. Fox ◽  
David M. Pelz
Keyword(s):  
High Flow ◽  
Vein Of Galen ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulae ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Av Fistula ◽  
Intracerebral Bleeding ◽  
Endovascular Occlusion ◽  
Av Shunt ◽  
Fine Print

✓ An intracranial varix is rare and has been associated mostly with vein of Galen fistulae or arteriovenous (AV) malformations. The authors present eight cases of intracranial, pial or subpial AV fistulae with concomitant giant varices. Six were supratentorial and two were infratentorial. Only one case involved the vein of Galen. In six cases successful surgical and/or endovascular occlusion of the intracranial AV fistula was obtained, and one case was treated conservatively. Staging of surgery and postoperative hypotension were considered to be important in avoiding edema and hemorrhage following obliteration of a large AV shunt. One patient died from delayed postoperative intracerebral bleeding.

A transcranial approach for direct mechanical thrombectomy of dural sinus thrombosis

2004 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 347-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Chahlavi ◽  
Michael P. Steinmetz ◽  
Thomas J. Masaryk ◽  
Peter A. Rasmussen
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Thrombectomy ◽  
Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis ◽  
Dural Sinus ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thrombolytic Agents ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Transcranial Approach ◽  
Risk Of Hemorrhage ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is often difficult to manage. Treatment options include systemically delivered anticoagulation therapy or chemical thrombolysis. Targeted endovascular delivery of thrombolytic agents is currently a popular option, but it carries an increased risk of hemorrhage. These strategies require significant time to produce thrombolysis, often in a patient with a rapidly deteriorating neurological condition. Rapid mechanical recanalization with thrombectomy is therefore very attractive; this procedure provides rapid recanalization with no increased risk of hemorrhage from use of thrombolytic agents. Nevertheless, the rheolytic catheter is large and stiff and may not be able to navigate tortuous intracranial vascular anatomy. The authors present their experience with direct dural sinus mechanical thrombectomy performed using the rheolytic catheter via a transcranial route. Two patients with dural sinus thrombosis and rapidly deteriorating levels of consciousness underwent unsuccessful attempts at mechanical thrombolysis via the usual transfemoral route. Through a burr hole over the dural sinus, mechanical thrombectomy was subsequently performed using the thrombectomy catheter. Sinus patency was restored following treatment and both patients demonstrated neurological recovery. Hemorrhage or a rapidly deteriorating neurological condition may preclude the use of systemic or locally delivered thrombolytic agents for the treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Mechanical thrombectomy may be the treatment of choice in these circumstances. In patients with limited transfemoral access, a transcranial approach may be used to access the cerebral dural sinuses and thrombectomy may be safely and effectively performed. Further evaluation of this therapy is warranted.

Cerebral venous malformations

1990 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 560-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Rigamonti ◽  
Robert F. Spetzler ◽  
Marjorie Medina ◽  
Karen Rigamonti ◽  
David S. Geckle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Malformation ◽  
Neurological Dysfunction ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Venous Angioma ◽  
Venous Malformations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Although cerebral venous malformations have been reported to cause epilepsy, progressive neurological deficits, and hemorrhage, their clinical significance remains controversial. In an attempt to clarify the natural history of the lesion and suggest an appropriate management strategy, the authors review their experience with 30 patients. In four patients with cerebellar venous angioma, an acute episode of ataxia was documented. The coexistence of a cavernous malformation was pathologically confirmed in the two patients who underwent surgery for bleeding presumed caused by the venous angioma. Infarction was shown in two patients and a tumor in two others. Follow-up periods ranged between 18 and 104 months, with only five patients symptomatic at the time of this report. Rebleeding had not occurred, nor had acute episodes of neurological dysfunction been documented. This clinical experience suggests that a venous malformation is frequently associated with other, more symptomatic conditions and is often erroneously identified as the source of the symptoms. Because the nature of the relationship between the venous malformation and the allied conditions remains ambiguous, it is recommended that patients harboring a “symptomatic” venous malformation undergo high-field magnetic resonance imaging to rule out underlying pathology, and that any such pathology be treated independently of the venous malformation.

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