Endovascular treatment of traumatic high flow dural arterio-venous fistula involving the middle meningeal artery and facial veins

Rontgenpraxis. 2008;56(5):164-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rontge.2006.10.002.

Abstract

Dural arterio-venous fistulas are rare lesions. Traumatic dural AV-fistulas in particular, are very rare complications of head and neck trauma. We report on a 59-year old man with a severe facial and head trauma. Initial computed tomography demonstrated a left frontal subdural hematoma, leading to progressive midline shift. Additionally, a complex skull base fracture was present, involving the frontal, temporal and sphenoid bone. A few days after the accident the patient reported a left pulsatile tinnitus. Subsequent selective carotid angiography revealed a high flow dural arterio-venous fistula involving the middle meningeal artery and facial veins. Complete endovascular embolization was performed by a transarterial approach using microparticles and an electrolytically detachable coil resulting in an immediate disappearance of the tinnitus. Remarkably, this case nicely illustrates possible "dangerous" collateral circulation to the ophthalmic artery-a feature that should be kept in mind during endovascular treatment of this entity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiography, Digital Subtraction / methods*
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / diagnostic imaging
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / therapy*
  • Cerebral Angiography / methods*
  • Collateral Circulation / physiology
  • Electric Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / methods*
  • Face / blood supply*
  • Facial Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hematoma, Subdural / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Male
  • Meningeal Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Meningeal Arteries / injuries*
  • Middle Aged
  • Ophthalmic Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Skull Base / diagnostic imaging
  • Skull Base / injuries
  • Skull Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Superior Sagittal Sinus / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Veins