Multiple Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas Manifesting as Progressive Otalgia and Tinnitus and Treated Using a Single Session of Endovascular Embolization

An Uncommon Culprit: Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Presenting as Otodynia and Dizziness

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are rare vascular abnormalities that can present with diverse neurological symptoms. We report a case of a woman in her early 60s who presented with pain in the left ear and dizziness. Neurological evaluation and imaging studies revealed a DAVF in the left cerebellopontine angle. This case underscores the importance of considering DAVF as a potential etiology in patients presenting with atypical otological symptoms.

A rare case of multiple high-grade dural arteriovenous fistulas manifesting as progressive confusion and abnormal behavior

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Multiple dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are rare intracranial vascular malformations with fatal consequences. Patients usually manifest with variable clinical presentations, which depend on the fistula's size, location, and the development of complication. Digital subtraction angiography continues to be the gold standard neuroimaging modality for diagnosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 47-year-old female patient was transferred from Gaza Hospital intubated under complete sedation after she had progressive confusion and abnormal behaviors. She was immediately admitted to our surgical ICU. Brain computed tomography angiography was done and showed middle and posterior cranial fossae high flow dural AVFs with grad IV Cognard classification. Also, right petrosal venous sinuses thrombosis, secondary brain edema and herniation were found. Cerebral catheterization revealed multiple dural AVFs with all branches of external carotid arteries and other branches from vertebral arteries fistulized into the transverse dural sinus, superior sagittal sinus, and sigmoid sinus.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Even though they are rare multiple dural AVFs do exist, and it is importance to consider while assessing patients who have symptoms that could point to arteriovenous fistulas. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention is a crucial step in such cases.

CONCLUSION

Multiple dural AVFs are rare conditions that are challenging, especially in low-middle-income countries where expertise and clinical resources are limited. A delay in the diagnosis may result in considerable morbidity and mortality.

Low-Frequency Air-Bone Gap and Pulsatile Tinnitus Due to a Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: Considerations upon Possible Pathomechanisms and Literature Review

Low-frequency air-bone gap (ABG) associated with pulsatile tinnitus (PT) and normal impedance audiometry represents a common finding in patients with third window syndromes. Other inner disorders, including Meniere's disease (MD), perilymphatic fistula and intralabyrinthine schwannoma, might sometimes result in a similar scenario. On the other hand, PT is frequently associated with dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), while conductive hearing loss (CHL) is extremely rare in this clinical setting. A 47-year-old patient was referred to our center with progressive left-sided PT alongside ipsilateral fullness and hearing loss. She also experienced headache and dizziness. Otoscopy and video-oculographic examination were unremarkable. Conversely, a detailed instrumental audio-vestibular assessment revealed low-frequency CHL with normal impedance audiometry, slight left-sided caloric weakness, slightly impaired vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials on the left and normal results on the video-head impulse test, consistent with an MD-like instrumental profile. Gadolinium-enhanced brain MRI revealed an early enhancement of the left transverse sinus, consistent with a left DAVF between the left occipital artery and the transverse sinus, which was then confirmed by angiography. A trans-arterial embolization with Onyx glue was performed, resulting in a complete recession of the symptoms. Post-operatively, the low-frequency ABG disappeared, supporting the possible role of venous intracranial hypertension and abnormal pressure of inner ear fluids in the onset of symptoms and offering new insights into the pathomechanism of inner ear CHL.

Posterior condylar canal dural arteriovenous fistula as a rare cause of glossopharyngeal neuralgia: A case report

BACKGROUND

The symptoms of dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) vary according to the location of the fistula and the pattern of venous drainage. Here, we report the case of a patient with a dAVF-induced glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a case of a patient with right glossopharyngeal neuralgia caused by a posterior condylar canal (PCC) dAVF. The glossopharyngeal neuralgia was accompanied by persistent tinnitus and repetitive right side otalgia, as well as ipsilateral shoulder and throat pain, lasting for about 30 s. However, there were no specific findings on otoscopic examination. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging was performed to determine the cause of the symptoms, and a right PCC dAVF was observed. The dAVF was successfully obliterated using transvenous coil embolization. After embolization, the patient's symptoms were completely resolved.

CONCLUSION

Although glossopharyngeal neuralgia caused by dAVF is rare, it can present due to intracranial lesions located adjacent to the glossopharyngeal nerve or vagus nerve. Brain MRI is therefore required to identify secondary causes in all patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia.