Intracranial dural fistulas with exclusive perimedullary drainage: the need for complete cerebral angiography for diagnosis and treatment planning

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2007 Feb;28(2):348-51.

Abstract

Three patients are presented with slowly progressive tetraparesis caused by an intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula with exclusive perimedullary venous drainage. MR imaging showed a swollen cervicothoracic cord with central myelopathy and dilated perimedullary veins. Bilateral vertebral angiography initially failed to demonstrate the fistulas, and diagnosis was established with external carotid angiography. All 3 patients were successfully treated with glue embolization, 1 after failed surgical exploration. Angiographic cure of the fistula resulted in clinical cure in 1 patient and stabilization in 2 patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / complications
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / diagnostic imaging*
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / therapy*
  • Cerebral Angiography*
  • Cerebral Veins
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Edema / diagnostic imaging
  • Edema / etiology
  • Edema / therapy
  • Embolization, Therapeutic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / therapy