Diagnostic et traitement des fistules vertébrovertébrales

Vertebro-Vertebral Arteriovenous Fistulae: A Case Series of Endovascular Management at a Single Center

OBJECTIVE

Vertebro-vertebral arteriovenous fistulae (VVFs) are a rare disorder characterized by a direct shunt between the extracranial vertebral artery and the veins of the vertebral venous plexus. This study aims to comprehensively review the characteristics and outcomes of endovascular treatments for VVFs at our center.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on 14 patients diagnosed with a VVF who underwent endovascular treatment at Siriraj Hospital from January 2000 to January 2023. The study assessed patient demographics, presentation, fistula location, treatment strategies, endovascular techniques employed, and treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

Among the 14 patients, 11 (78.6%) were female, with an age range from 25 to 79 years (median: 50 years). Spontaneous VVFs were observed in 64.3% of the cases, including three associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). Iatrogenic injury accounted for two cases, and three patients had VVFs resulting from traffic accidents. A pulsatile neck mass and tinnitus, with or without neurological deficits, were common presenting symptoms. Active bleeding was observed in three cases with vascular injury, while unilateral proptosis, congestive heart failure, and incidental findings each presented in one patient. All the VVFs were successfully obliterated without major treatment complications. Parent vessel sacrifice was performed in 85.7% of the cases, while vertebral artery preservation was achieved in the remaining two patients. Embolic materials included detachable balloons, detachable coils, and n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue. All the presenting symptoms showed improvement, and no morbidity or mortality was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular embolization is a feasible and effective approach for achieving complete VVF obliteration with safety. Parent artery sacrifice should not be reluctantly performed, particularly when adequate collateral circulation is demonstrated.

Endovascular management of iatrogenic vertebro-vertebral fistula: Black Swan event in C2 pedicle screw

Background:

Vertebro-vertebral fistulas (VVF) are rare. Anatomically, they consist of an arteriovenous fistula, a direct pathological communication between vertebral veins (including the epidural vertebral venous plexus) and extradural vertebral artery. The various etiologies include trauma, iatrogenic, or spontaneous (e.g., NF-1 or Ehlers Danlos Syndrome). The clinical presentation may include acute/delayed onset of radiculopathy and/or myelopathy. They may further be characterized by the delayed onset hearing loss to tinnitus and/or the sensation of water in the ear.

Case Description:

We report successful endovascular management for iatrogenic VVF in a 37-year-old female who was diagnosed with an odontoid fracture (Anderson type IIC). She underwent a posterior C1 lateral masses to C2 pedicle/laminar screw fixation. An intraoperative vertebro-vertebral fistulas (VVF) was recognized during the procedure and it was managed successfully with percutaneous transarterial endovascular coiling.

Conclusion:

Iatrogenic VVF should immediately be suspected when the implant trajectory goes slightly off track during a C1-2 fixation. Immediate postoperative DSA and MRI are advisable, irrespective of whether the patient is symptomatic. These lesions are best managed with endovascular coiling with or without detachable balloons.

Spontaneous regression of an idiopathic arteriovenous fistula of the right vertebral artery

A previously healthy 53-year-old male presented with a 2-month history of pulsatile tinnitus, worsening headaches, and neck pain. Given the clinical symptoms, a workup was initiated to assess for a vascular etiology such as a dural arteriovenous fistula.

A rare case of a vertebrojugular arteriovenous fistula: A case report and review of literature

Vertebrojugular fistulas have been described in the literature associated with blunt or penetrating injury and iatrogenic or spontaneous development. Its presentation may be broad and may include symptoms of radiculopathy, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, tinnitus, and bruit. However, so far, no direct cardiac complications had been reported. Here, we describe a case of an 86-year-old female who suffered a C5 vertebral fracture secondary to a ground-level fall that was initially treated conservatively due to the onset of new severe atrial fibrillation. However, the patient was later on taken to surgery due to progressive neurologic deterioration. Intraoperative complications led to the diagnosis of a vertebral-jugular fistula that was successfully embolized. The effective obliteration of the fistulae led to the recovery of both neurologic and cardiac symptoms.

Venous drainage of the spine and spinal cord: a comprehensive review of its history, embryology, anatomy, physiology, and pathology

Venous drainage of the spine and spinal cord is accomplished through a complex network of venous structures compartmentalized to intrinsic, extrinsic, and extradural systems. As the literature on this topic is scarce, the following review was performed to summarize the available literature into a single coherent format. The medical literature on the spinal venous system was reviewed using online sources as well as historical documents that were not available online in regard to history, embryology, anatomy, and physiology with a particular emphasis on the pathology affecting this system. The spinal venous system is complex and variable. Proper understanding of all aspects is critical for the management of the pathology that results from its failure.

Multimodal endovascular treatment of a vertebrovertebral fistula presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage and hydrocephalus

Vertebrovertebral fistulae are rare vascular malformations that uncommonly can rupture to present clinically as intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage. We report a 69-year-old man presenting following spontaneous apoplectic collapse. Initial workup revealed diffuse, intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. However, the etiology was not apparent on CT angiography of the head. Catheter-based angiography was performed, demonstrating a single-hole, high-flow vertebrovertebral fistula, arising from the V2 segment and decompressing into both cervical and skull base venous structures. Definitive treatment consisted of endovascular fistula obliteration with a combination of coil and liquid embolic material. The patient made a full neurological recovery. High cervical and skull base fistulae are rare causes of intracranial hemorrhage; endovascular treatment is effective at disconnection of the arteriovenous shunt.