Intracranial Subarachnoid Haemorrhage Caused by Cervical Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Case Report

Delayed Cerebral Ischemia after Embolization in Ruptured Spinal Arteriovenous Fistula with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage : A Case Report

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) remains a devastating complication in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), however, there were no present reports that is associated with a ruptured spinal arteriovenous fistula (sAVF). We would like to present a rare case of DCI following embolization of a ruptured perimedullary sAVF. Initially, the patient clinical symptoms mimic a SAH caused by a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. Further evaluation revealed that the SAH was caused by a ruptured perimedullary sAVF and the patient's condition improved following the embolization procedure. Three days later, the patient developed an acute left-sided facial and motor weakness, which persisted until the patient was discharged on the day-15 onset. A magnetic resonance imaging and angiography is performed 1.5 years after discharge and revealed no signs of cerebral infarction and hemorrhage. In this paper, we reported DCI after embolization in a ruptured sAVF with SAH, supported by evidence from the current literature. We would like to also stress the importance of complete spinal and cerebral vessel imaging to reveal the underlying abnormalities and determine the most appropriate intervention.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a craniocervical junction arteriovenous fistula associated with thrombus formation in the internal jugular vein: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

A craniocervical junction arteriovenous fistula (CCJAVF) is a rare vascular malformation, and its etiology remains unclear. Here, to the best of the authors' knowledge, they present the first case of CCJAVF associated with thrombus formation in the ipsilateral internal jugular vein.

OBSERVATIONS

An 80-year-old man presented with a sudden occipital headache. Computed tomography revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage surrounding the brainstem and upper cervical cord. Digital subtraction angiography showed a CCJAVF fed by the left C2 radiculomeningeal artery with ascending intracranial drainage and epidural plexus. After endovascular treatment, the authors retrospectively found that his ipsilateral internal jugular vein and innominate vein were occluded with a huge thrombus at admission.

LESSONS

This case suggested a restricted antegrade venous flow due to thrombus-induced progressive retrograde intracranial drainage causing hemorrhage. Venous hypertension should be considered one of the causes of hemorrhage due to CCJAVF as well as intracranial arteriovenous fistulas.