Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula presenting as parkinsonism and cognitive dysfunction

J Clin Neurosci. 2011 Jan;18(1):138-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2010.04.047. Epub 2010 Sep 20.

Abstract

There are few syndromes of parkinsonism with dementia which can be treated. We report two patients with dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) who presented with rapidly progressive parkinsonism and cognitive dysfunction. DAVF are rare lesions resulting from abnormal connections between meningeal arteries and dural sinuses. Angiography in both patients revealed DAVF associated with multiple occlusive changes in the dural venous sinus. This report emphasizes the need for a high level of clinical suspicion to diagnose DAVF and consider it as one of the causes of rapidly progressive cognitive dysfunction in patients with parkinsonism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / complications*
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebral Angiography
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology*
  • Cranial Sinuses / diagnostic imaging
  • Cranial Sinuses / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / etiology*