Endovascular management of V3 segment vertebro-vertebral fistula: case management and literature review

Endovascular treatment for V3 segment direct vertebral-venous fistulas: A report of two cases and a literature review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Direct vertebrovertebral fistulas (VVFs) involving the V3 segment of the vertebral artery (VA) are rare. Endovascular treatment (EVT) can be used to obliterate these VVFs.

CASE PRESENTATION

Case 1 was a 30-year-old male with limb weakness. He had grade V muscle strength in his limbs. Angiography confirmed a low-flow direct VVF of the V3 segment. The right VA was well developed. Coiling of the VVF and its parent VA obliterated the VVF. The vertebrobasilar arteries had sufficient blood from the right VA. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well. Case 2 was a 51-year-old male with headache and weakness of the limbs. He had grade IV muscle strength in his limbs. Angiography revealed a high-flow direct VVF in the V3 segment. The left VA was well developed. Coiling of the VVF and its parent VA obliterated the VVF. The vertebrobasilar arteries had sufficient blood from the left VA. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Direct VVF of the V3 segment is difficult to treat, and EVT, including reconstructive and deconstructive approaches, can be an effective treatment option. According to this case report and literature review, reconstructive EVT is ideal; however, it is difficult to perform. Currently, deconstructive EVT may be the mainstream option for treating direct VVF of the V3 segment.

CONCLUSION

In certain cases where the contralateral VA is well developed, coiling the fistula and the parent VA is still an effective treatment.

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.