Dural arteriovenous fistula of the lumbar spine presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Case report and review of the literature

Extravertebral low back pain: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common reasons for consultation in general practice. Currently, LBP is categorised into specific and non-specific causes. However, extravertebral causes, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm or pancreatitis, are not being considered.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed across MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane library, complemented by a handsearch. Studies conducted between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2020, where LBP was the main symptom, were included.

RESULTS

The literature search identified 6040 studies, from which duplicates were removed, leaving 4105 studies for title and abstract screening. Subsequently, 265 publications were selected for inclusion, with an additional 197 publications identified through the handsearch. The majority of the studies were case reports and case series, predominantly originating from specialised care settings. A clear distinction between vertebral or rare causes of LBP was not always possible. A range of diseases were identified as potential extravertebral causes of LBP, encompassing gynaecological, urological, vascular, systemic, and gastrointestinal diseases. Notably, guidelines exhibited inconsistencies in addressing extravertebral causes.

DISCUSSION

Prior to this review, there has been no systematic investigation into extravertebral causes of LBP. Although these causes are rare, the absence of robust and reliable epidemiological data hinders a comprehensive understanding, as well as the lack of standardised protocols, which contributes to a lack of accurate description of indicative symptoms. While there are certain disease-specific characteristics, such as non-mechanical or cyclical LBP, and atypical accompanying symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, or leg swelling, that may suggest extravertebral causes, it is important to recognise that these features are not universally present in every patient.

CONCLUSION

The differential diagnosis of extravertebral LBP is extensive with relatively low prevalence rates dependent on the clinical setting. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for extravertebral aetiologies, especially in patients presenting with atypical accompanying symptoms.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage complicating spinal subarachnoid hematoma causing acute cauda equina syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND

Spinal subarachnoid hematoma (SSH) is a known but rare entity that can cause cauda equina compression. The occurrence of SSH associated with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage has rarely been described in the literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 56-year-old woman presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm and was managed with coiling embolization without stent assistance. There was no history of either lumbar puncture or the use of anticoagulants. The patient developed severe lumbago radiating to bilateral legs nine days after the procedure. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a SSH extending from L5 to S2 and wrapping around the cauda equina. The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone (250 mg/day) for four consecutive days, followed by a taper of oral prednisolone (20 mg/day) until complete recovery. Magnetic resonance imaging at one month follow-up revealed complete resolution of the SSH.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, we report a case of acute cauda equina syndrome caused by a SSH after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, which will facilitate timely intervention of patients with this disorder.

The utility of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in surgical treatment for spinal arteriovenous malformations: a historical control study

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Postoperative neurological complications are not rare in surgical treatment for spinal arteriovenous malformations (SAVMs).

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An in-group analysis showed that the accuracy of IONM for detecting postoperative neurological complications was relatively high.

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Multimodal IONM may reduce postoperative neurological complications in the surgical treatment for SAVMs.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Significance

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula rupture after Rathke's cleft cyst endoscopic resection: Case report and literature review

Background:

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is the most frequent vascular malformation of the spine and accounts for approximately 70% of all vascular spinal malformations. In rare cases, SDAVF rupture and subsequent subarachnoid hemorrhage or intramedullary hematoma may occur. The aim of this article is to present a fatal case of SDAVF rupture after a Rathke’s cleft cyst (RCC) endoscopic resection.

Case Description:

An 80-year-old female was referred to our hospital with a clinical presentation of bilateral reduction in visual acuity, bitemporal hemianopsia, and sellar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) highly suggestive of RCC. After the first endonasal endoscopic surgery, the cyst was partially removed and vision improved. No signs of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak were observed. After 1 year, the patient returned because of RCC recurrence and decreased visual acuity. In the second procedure, the lesion was totally resected and CSF leak was observed. A nasoseptal flap was rotated to cover the skull base defect. The patient developed subtle paraparesis followed by paraplegia on the 4^th postoperative day. The dorsal spine MRI revealed a T3-T4 intramedullary hematoma. A dorsal laminectomy was performed and a SDAVF was observed. During microsurgery, at the right T3 nerve root level, an arteriovenous shunting point was identified, coagulated, and divided. The intramedullary hematoma was evacuated. The patient developed neurogenic and septic shock and died.

Conclusion:

Venous hypertension, venous wall fragility, and venous thrombosis seem to be the main factors involved in SDAVF rupture. In this particular case, reduction of the extravascular pressure and sudden variation in the pressure gradient caused by sustained CSF leak, also appeared to play an important role in SDAVF rupture. It may represent one more complication related to radical resection of RCC.

Endovascular Management of Type III Perimedullary Spinal Arteriovenous Malformations in Pediatric Population

BACKGROUND

Spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a cause of 20-30 of all spinal vascular malformation. The treatment option for the AVM depends upon the type of AVM. Here, we present a case series to discuss the type, management, and post-operative conclusion of the spinal AVMs.

METHOD

Four patients with spinal AVMs were retrospectively reviewed. All 4 patients were with a nidus-type AVM. Treatment for all patients required embolization. Clinical features, imaging, treatment, and clinical results were observed. All 4 patient's clinical outcome was assessed using the Modified Ranked Scale.

RESULT

The follow-up after management showed that all four-patient recovered without any residual deficit. All four-patient scored zero (0) on the Modified Ranked Scale.

CONCLUSION

Pediatric spinal AVMs are rare and require complex multimodal approach to achieve favorable outcomes.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula masquerading as subdural hematoma

Background

This case highlights an angiographically occult spinal dural AVF presenting with a spinal subdural hematoma. While rare, it is important that clinicians be aware of this potential etiology of subdural hematomas before evacuation.

Case Description

A 79-year-old female presented with acute lumbar pain, paraparesis, and a T10 sensory level loss. The MRI showed lower cord displacement due to curvilinear/triangular enhancement along the right side of the canal at the T12-L1 level. The lumbar MRA, craniospinal CTA, and multivessel spinal angiogram were unremarkable. A decompressive exploratory laminectomy revealed a subdural hematoma that contained blood products of different ages, and a large arterialized vein exiting near the right L1 nerve root sheath. The fistula was coagulated and sectioned. Postoperatively, the patient regained normal function.

Conclusion

Symptomatic subdural thoracolumbar hemorrhages from SDAVF are very rare. Here, we report a patient with an acute paraparesis and T10 sensory level attributed to an SDAVF and subdural hematoma. Despite negative diagnostic studies, even including spinal angiography, the patient underwent surgical intervention and successful occlusion of the SDAVF.

Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Patient with a Co-Existent Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm and Cervical Spine Aneurysm Associated with Ventral Arterio-Venous Fistula

Severe spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is predominantly caused by aneurysm rupture, with non-aneurysmal vascular lesions representing only a minority of possible causes. We present the case of a 58-year old lady with a coincidental posterior communicating artery (PCom) aneurysm and a high cervical spine arterio-venous fistula associated with a small ruptured aneurysm. After the emergency clipping of the PCom aneurysm, additional diagnostic procedures—repeated digital subtraction angiography and spinal magnetic resonance imaging, revealed the actual cause of the SAH, a type-A ventral intradural fistula at cervical level C2/3. The fistula was treated micro surgically via a ventral approach using C3 somatectomy and C2-4 stabilization after the initial failure of endovascular therapy. Furthermore, the patient was treated for complications associated with severe SAH, including acute hydrocephalus and meningitis. In cases where the SAH pattern and perioperative findings do not suggest an intracranial aneurysm as the source of SAH, further diagnostic investigation is warranted to discover the real cause. Patients with severe non-aneurysmal SAH require a similar algorithm in diagnosing the cause of the hemorrhage as well as complex conditions such as ruptured aneurysms.

A Rare Case of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage caused by Ruptured Venous Varix Due to Dural Arteriovenous Fistula at the Foramen Magnum Fed Solely by the Ascending Pharyngeal Artery

Dural arteriovenous fistula (D-AVF) at the foramen magnum is an extremely rare disease entity. It produces venous hypertension, and can lead to progressive cervical myelopathy thereafter. On the other hand, the venous hypertension may lead to formation of a venous varix, and it can rarely result in an abrupt onset of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) when the venous varix is ruptured. The diagnosis of D-AVF at the foramen magnum as a cause of SAH may be difficult due to its low incidence. Furthermore, when the D-AVF is fed solely by the ascending pharyngeal artery (APA), it may be missed if the external carotid angiography is not performed. The outcome could be fatal if the fistula is unrecognized. Herein, we report on a rare case of SAH caused by ruptured venous varix due to D-AVF at the foramen magnum fed solely by the APA. A review of relevant literatures is provided, and the treatment modalities and outcomes are also discussed.

Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring in Surgical Treatment of Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Technique and Results

Objective and Background:

Data on intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IOM) during surgery of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) are lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of IOM during microsurgery for SDAVFs.

Materials and Methods:

From March 2007 to March 2013, 12 patients had microsurgery with IOM for SDAVFs. The IOM included somatosensory-evoked potentials, motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), and – in selected cases – D-Waves. All patients were evaluated at admission and at follow-up (6, 12, and 24 months) with Aminoff–Logue Disability Scale for Gait-Aminoff–Logue Disability Scale (G-ALS) and Micturition-Aminoff–Logue Disability Scale (M-ALS).

Statistical Analysis Used:

Logistic regression was used for detecting the clinical risk factors influencing neurological functions after the treatment.

Results:

During surgery, we registered the absence of significant modifications of evoked potentials in nine cases (75%), while improvement of MEPs occurred in three cases (25%). No false-negative case was registered, and IOM predicted the absence of new postoperative neurological deficit in all patients. At 24-month follow-up, nine patients improved their overall neurological status, while three patients remained stable. At univariate analysis, Aminoff–Logue Disability Scales for Gait and Micturition (G + M-ALS) score at 24-month follow-up was directly associated with the duration of symptom before the surgery (P = 0.024), preoperative G-ALS (P = 0.02), M-ALS (P = 0.022), and G + M-ALS scores (P = 0.045), and improvement of IOM after occlusion of the fistula (P = 0.025).

Conclusions:

In our series, no significant worsening of evoked potentials occurred and subsequently the surgical strategy was not changed by IOM. However, no false-negative case was registered, and IOM predicted the absence of new postoperative neurological deficit in all patients. Patients with improvement of IOM parameters after occlusion of the fistula had greater chances of postsurgical improvement at the univariate analysis.

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

RATIONALE

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common and serious disease and one of the most important differential diagnoses in the emergency department.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 39-year-old female patient with a 12 years' history of migraine, presented with a sudden headache combined with motor aphasia. Physical examination suggested probable positive neck resistance. SAH was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, spinal digital subtraction angiography and spinal vascular computed tomography angiography indicated spinal arteriovenous malformation (SAVM).

DIAGNOSES

The final diagnosis was spinal dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with SAH.

INTERVENTIONS

Following diagnosis, appropriate drugs were administered, but the therapeutic effect was poor. Then the patient was then transferred to a superior hospital where she was treated with interventional embolization.

OUTCOMES

Through 2 years of follow-up, intermittent migraine was found in the patient, but the symptoms of occipital pain, nausea, and vomiting did not occur again.

LESSONS

For patients who have been diagnosed with SAH but have no definite cause, we should pay attention to the etiological screening of SAH, and the possibility of the spinal cord SAH should be vigilant. The pain in the chest and back and the signs of spinal cord may be an important breakthrough in patients with spinal cord SAH, and medical history and physical examination are particularly important.

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: Imaging Features and Its Mimics

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is the most common spinal vascular malformation, however it is still rare and underdiagnosed. Magnetic resonance imaging findings such as spinal cord edema and dilated and tortuous perimedullary veins play a pivotal role in the confirmation of the diagnosis. However, spinal angiography remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of SDAVF. Classic angiographic findings of SDAVF are early filling of radicular veins, delayed venous return, and an extensive network of dilated perimedullary venous plexus. A series of angiograms of SDAVF at different locations along the spinal column, and mimics of serpentine perimedullary venous plexus on MR images, are demonstrated. Thorough knowledge of SDAVF aids correct diagnosis and prevents irreversible complications.

10 Levels thoracic no-intrumented laminectomy for huge spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma removal. Report of the first case and literature review

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In this article, reporting on the case of a huge 10 levels spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma treated with decompressive thoracic no-instrumented laminectomy in a 45-year-old woman with good neurological recovery, we would like to underline the importance of a timely surgical decompression as the mainstay option in the management of strongly symptomatic spontaneous idiopathic acute spinal subdural hematomas.

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To our knowledge, 10 levels thoracic laminectomy for a SSDH removal have never been described. We performed “conservative” laminectomy by sparing of articular processes with no need to posterior fixation also considering the intrinsic stability of thoracic chest.

Introduction

Spontaneous idiopathic acute spinal subdural hematoma (SSDH) is a rare cause of acute back pain followed by signs and symptoms of nerve root and/or spinal cord compression, frequently associated with coagulopathies, blood dyscrasias and arterio-venous malformations. Standard management includes non-operative treatment and timely (within 24 h) surgical decompression.

Presentation of case

We report on the case of a huge 10 levels SSDH treated with decompressive thoracic no-instrumented laminectomy in a 45-year-old woman with good neurological recovery (from ASIA A to D).

Discussion

Spontaneous SSDHs without detectable structural lesion or anticoagulant therapy are very rare. Among 26 cases documented the literature harbouring SSDHs, the thoracic spine was found to be the preferred site, and the compression was usually extending over several vertebral levels. Nonoperative treatment for SSDH may be justified in presence of minimal neurologic deficits, otherwise, early decompressive laminectomy along with evacuation of hematoma are considered the treatment of choice in presence of major deficits.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, the present case is the most extensive laminectomy for a SSDH removal never described before. No postoperative instability occurs in 10 levels thoracic laminectomy in case the articular processes are spared. When major neurological deficits are documented, early decompressive laminectomy with evacuation of hematoma should be considered the best treatment for SSDH.

Intramedullary hemorrhage from a thoracolumbar dural arteriovenous fistula

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are acquired lesions presenting typically with neurologic deficits secondary to chronic congestive myelopathy. The low-flow and low-volume nature of these lesions makes hemorrhage very unlikely, and intramedullary hemorrhage caused by thoracolumbar dural AVFs is exceedingly rare.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to report a case of intramedullary hemorrhage caused by a thoracolumbar dural AVF.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

The study design included a case report and review of literature.

METHODS

A case of intramedullary hemorrhage from a thoracolumbar dural AVF was reported, and the literature regarding hemorrhagic presentations of dural AVF was reviewed.

RESULTS

A 66-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of abdominal pain, paraplegia, sensory loss below the costal margins, and urinary retention. Magnetic resonance imaging scan showed intramedullary hemorrhage with abnormal flow voids raising suspicion of an intramedullary AV malformation. However, subsequent selective spinal angiography demonstrated a spinal dural AVF fed by the T7 intercostal artery and a varix within the draining vein. Complete obliteration of the dural AVF and the varix was achieved via embolization. As far as we are aware, there are only two other similar cases in the literature. Literature review revealed that presentation of thoracolumbar dural AVFs with hemorrhage is frequently associated with accelerated venous flow and the presence of a venous varix.

CONCLUSIONS

Although very unusual, a spinal dural AVF may present with intramedullary hemorrhage, and hemorrhage in such conditions may be associated with an accelerated venous flow and the presence of a venous varix.

Angiographic characteristics and treatment of cervical spinal dural arteriovenous shunts

Spinal DAVSs of the cervical level are rare lesions. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical and angiographic characteristics of cervical spinal DAVSs. From a prospectively collected database including 449 cases of brain and spinal DAVSs, lesions located at the cervical level were selected. The clinical presentation, angiographic characteristics, and treatment outcome were assessed. Twelve cases of spinal DAVSs were identified at the level of the cervical spinal canal (male to female ratio = 8:4; mean age = 56.5 years). Five patients (41.7%) presented with hemorrhage including SAH (n = 4) and cerebellar hemorrhage (n = 1). Coincidental spinal DAVSs with cranial DAVSs or brain AVMs were noted in 5 cases (41.7%). The spinal DAVS was the symptomatic lesion in 10 cases and was incidentally discovered during evaluation for SAH from a coincidental lesion in 2 cases. Combined endovascular and surgical resection resulted in symptomatic improvement in 10 patients. In conclusion, DAVSs of the cervical spine are rare lesions which often present with hemorrhage and are frequently associated with complex coincidental vascular lesions. Combined endovascular and surgical treatment will result in good outcome.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas draining into the petrosal vein or bridging vein of the medulla: possible homologs of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas. Clinical article

OBJECT

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with leptomeningeal venous reflux generally pose a high risk of aggressive manifestations including hemorrhage. Among DAVFs, there is a peculiar type that demonstrates direct drainage into the bridging vein rather than the dural venous sinus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of DAVFs that drain directly into the petrosal vein or the bridging vein of the medulla oblongata.

METHODS

Eleven consecutive cases of DAVFs that drained directly into the petrosal vein and 6 that drained directly into the bridging vein of the medulla were retrospectively reviewed. These cases were evaluated and/or treated at Hospital de Bicêtre in Paris, France, over a 27-year period. A review of previously reported cases was also performed.

RESULTS

Both of these "extrasinusal"-type DAVFs demonstrated very similar characteristics. There was a significant male predominance (p < 0.001) for this lesion, and a significantly higher incidence of aggressive neurological manifestations including hemorrhage or venous hypertension than in DAVFs of the transverse-sigmoid or cavernous sinus (p < 0.001). This finding was considered to be attributable to leptomeningeal venous reflux. Regarding treatment, endovascular embolization (either transarterial or transvenous) is frequently difficult, and surgery may be an effective therapeutic choice in many instances.

CONCLUSIONS

Embryologically, both the petrosal vein and the bridging vein of the medulla are cranial homologs of the spinal cord emissary bridging veins that drain the pial venous network. The authors believe that DAVFs in these locations may be included in a single category with spinal DAVFs because of their similar clinical characteristics.

Extensive spinal cord infarction after surgical interruption of thoracolumbar dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage

Nontraumatic intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) attributable to the thoracolumbar dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) has been extremely rare. A 41-year-old male patient was admitted with severe acute headache, neck stiffness, and pronounced low-back pain radiating to both legs. The T2-weighted MR imaging showed irregular signal void and enlarged, varix like pouch formation with spinal cord compression at the T11-12 level. The angiogram revealed a DAVF.We report a DAVF case with SAH that revealed an extensive infarction from C5 to the conus medullaris after undergoing operative treatment.

Spontaneous spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage with spontaneous resolution

Spontaneous spinal subarachnoid hematoma (SSH) is a rare entity to cause spinal cord or nerve root compression and is usually managed as surgical emergencies. We report a case of spontaneous SSH manifesting as severe lumbago, which demonstrated nearly complete clinical resolution with conservative treatment. A 58-year-old female patient developed a large SSH, which was not related to blood dyscrasia, anticoagulation, lumbar puncture, or trauma. Patient had severe lumbago but no neurologic deficits. Because of absence of neurologicl deficits, she was treated conservatively. Follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) image showed complete resolution. Conservative treatment of SSH may be considered if the patient with spontaneous SSH has no neurologic deficits.

Spinal vascular malformations in non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

In patients with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and no evidence for a cerebral aneurysm on angiography, a frequent cause of the hemorrhage is perimesencephalic hemorrhage or other cerebral vascular pathology. In some patients no cause is found. The exact incidence of a spinal vascular malformation (SVM) as the origin for the SAH is not known. We assessed the occurrence of SVM in angiogram-negative, non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage (NPSAH).

METHODS

47 patients (from a consecutive cohort of 632) were identified with an angiogramnegative, non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage and 42 of these were analyzed by performing MR-imaging of the complete spinal neuraxis with additional spinal angiography on indication.

RESULTS

In four patients a spinal vascular malformation was identified as the cause of the SAH, indicating an incidence of 9 % of SVM in NPSAH, and an incidence of 1 % of SVM in all patients with SAH.

INTERPRETATION

Systematic analysis of angiogram-negative, non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage by MR imaging of the complete spinal neuraxis yields a higher incidence of SVM than previously documented. We recommend MR imaging of the complete spinal neuraxis in patients with a non-perimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhage in whom no cause for the hemorrhage has been found.

Intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage resulting from cervical spine dural arteriovenous fistulas: literature review and case presentation

Cervical dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are a rare cause of intracranial subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) but should be considered when other sources are not found. Subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by dAVF is thought to occur as a result of venous hypertension in most cases. The clinical presentation, acute onset of severe headache, is similar to that in patients with other causes of SAH; however, severe neurological deficits (Hunt and Hess Grade IV and V SAH) have not been reported in SAH caused by cervical dAVFs. Patients with this type of SAH commonly report suboccipital headache, neck pain, and nausea, and thus these hemorrhages can be easily dismissed as perimesencephalic SAH. Vigilant evaluation with 4-vessel cerebral angiography, including selective catherization of both proximal vertebral arteries, should be performed. The practice of unilateral vertebral artery injection with reflux into the contralateral vertebral and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries has the potential to overlook cervical dAVF. Magnetic resonance imaging may be useful to evaluate for other causes of SAH but is probably not sensitive for the identification of a cervical dAVF. Surgical treatment of this lesion has an excellent outcome.

Endovascular and surgical treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) that were treated with surgery, catheter embolization, or surgery after incomplete embolization.

METHODS

The study included 21 consecutive patients with SDAVFs of the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine who were treated in our institution from 1994 to 2007. Thirteen patients were treated with catheter embolization alone. Four patients underwent hemilaminectomy and intradural interruption of the fistula. Four patients were treated by endovascular techniques followed by surgery. The clinical outcome was assessed using the modified Aminoff-Logue scale (ALS) for myelopathy and the modified Rankin scale (MRS) for general quality of life. Patient age ranged from 44 to 77 years (mean 64.7 years).

RESULTS

Surgical as well as endovascular treatment resulted in a significant improvement in ALS (-62.5% and -31.4%, respectively, p < 0.05) and a tendency toward improved MRS (-50% and -32%, respectively) scores. Patients that underwent surgery after endovascular treatment due to incomplete occlusion of the fistula showed only a tendency for improvement in the ALS score (-16.7%), whereas the MRS score was not affected.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that both endovascular and surgical treatment of SDAVFs resulted in a good and lasting clinical outcome in the majority of cases. In specific situations, when a secondary neurosurgical approach was required after endovascular treatment to achieve complete occlusion of the SDAVF, the clinical outcome was rather poor. The best first line treatment modality for each individual patient should be determined by an interdisciplinary team.

Resolution of an anterior-inferior cerebellar artery feeding aneurysm with the treatment of a transverse-sigmoid dural arteriovenous fistula

A 27-year-old man developed an unruptured anterior-inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) feeding aneurysm from a transverse-sigmoid dural arteriovenous malformation. The patient, with a known history of left transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis, presented with pulse-synchronous tinnitus. Angiography revealed an extensive dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF), with feeders from both the extracranial and intracranial circulations, involving the right transverse sinus, the torcula, and the left transverse/sigmoid sinuses. Multimodal endovascular and open surgical therapy was used to manage the lesion. Before a planned second-stage treatment for the left sigmoid sinus component, the dural AVF improved significantly. During this interval, however, a small flow-related aneurysm developed on the left AICA feeding the petrous dural region. The aneurysm resolved after resection of the involved sigmoid sinus. This is the first reported case of an unruptured feeding-artery aneurysm in an intracranial dural AVF that resolved spontaneously with treatment of the dural AVF. Until more is known about the natural history, the decisions of when and whether to treat an unruptured dural AVF feeding-artery aneurysm must be made on an individual basis.

Spinal arteriovenous shunts presenting as intracranial subarachnoid haemorrhage

Background

In approximately 5% of patients with intracranial subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), the cause is another than a ruptured aneurysm or perimesencephalic haemorrhage. One of these causes is a spinal arteriovenous shunt (SAVS). The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of patients with SAVS who present with intracranial SAH without symptoms and signs suggesting a spinal cause.

Methods

We systematically reviewed the literature and searched the SAH database of the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, for patients with SAVS presenting with intracranial SAH and studied the characteristics of patients with SAVS whose clinical presentation mimicked intracranial SAH caused by rupture of a saccular aneurysm.

Results

Thirty-five patients were identified after a review of the literature. In our SAH database, comprising 2142 patients included in the period 1985–2004, we found one patient (0.05%, 95 % CI 0.006–0.3%). SAH due to SAVS occurred at any age (4–72 years). The SAVS was located at the craniocervical junction in 14 patients, at the cervical level in 11, and at the thoracolumbar level in the remaining 11 patients. The majority of patients (n = 26, 72%) had no disabling deficits at discharge or follow-up.

Conclusion

Rupture of a SAVS presenting as intracranial SAH is rare and can occur at any age. The SAVS can be located not only at the craniocervical junction or cervical level but also in the thoracolumbar region. Most patients with SAVS presenting as intracranial SAH have a good recovery.