Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report

Minimally invasive microsurgical treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula: how I do it

BACKGROUND

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (d-AVF) is the most common spinal vascular malformations. Management includes endovascular embolization, and/or surgical obliteration of the shunt.

METHOD

Applied to spinal d-AVF, mini-invasive surgical (MIS) obliteration is described as a mini-open approach using Mast Quadrant™ system. Important anatomical landmarks are reviewed. Indications, advantages, and limitations are discussed, and a step-by-step description of the procedure is presented.

CONCLUSION

MIS is a good solution to treat d-AVF with a good outcome.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage after full endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a case report

PURPOSE

Intracranial hemorrhage such as subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a rare but severe complication of spinal surgery. Current case reports of open lumbar surgery are typically accompanied by intraoperative dural tears and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. We report a case of non-aneurysmal SAH without CSF leakage after full endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (FE-TLIF).

DESIGN

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

A 62-year-old male patient underwent FE-TLIF for L4/5 lumbar spinal stenosis. There was no intraoperative dural tear or postoperative CSF leakage. The patient reported neck pain immediately after the surgery. Around 12 h after the surgery, the patient complained of mild headaches. One day after the surgery, the patient reported severe headaches, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. CT showed a high-density shadow in part of the sulcus and cistern, suggesting SAH. No apparent neurological symptoms were present. The patient's condition improved after conservative treatment including bed rest, fluid infusions, and blood pressure control. Twelve days after the surgery, CT and MRA of the brain showed no hemorrhage and the patient was discharged.

CONCLUSION

This case was among the first that developed SAH without CSF leakage after FE-TLIF. Although the underlying pathologic mechanism is unknown, epidural hypertension may be a possible cause of the hemorrhage. Timely CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations may help to detect this complication and initiate early treatment.