Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Arising after Intracranial Surgery in Posterior Fossa of Nondominant Sinus: Two Cases and Literature Review

Iatrogenic mixed pial and dural arteriovenous fistula after pterional approach for surgical clipping of aneurysm: A case report

Craniotomy is known as a cause of iatrogenic dural cerebral arteriovenous fistula (AVF). However, mixed pial and dural AVFs after craniotomy are extremely rare and require accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment due to their aggressiveness. We present a case of an iatrogenic mixed pial and dural AVF diagnosed 2 years after pterional craniotomy for surgical clipping of a ruptured anterior choroidal aneurysm. The lesion was successfully treated using single endovascular procedure of transvenous coil embolization through the engorged vein of Labbe and the superficial middle cerebral vein. The possibility of the AVF formation after the pterional approach should always be kept in mind because it usually occurs at the middle cranial fossa, which frequently has an aggressive nature owing to direct cortical venous or leptomeningeal drainage patterns. This complication is believed to be caused by angiogenetic conditions due to coagulation, retraction, and microinjuries of the perisylvian vessels, and can be prevented by performing careful sylvian dissection according to patient-specific perisylvian venous anatomy.

Co-occurrence of dural arteriovenous fistula and meningioma: A rare case and systematic review

Background

The coexistence of meningioma and dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) is a rare, but highly complex condition. Various pathophysiological mechanisms underlie intracranial meningiomas with continuous or distant dAVFs. We describe a case of coexisting meningioma and dAVF with a systematic review of the literature.

Result

Including the present case, there are 21 reported cases of coexisting intracranial dAVF and meningioma. The patients' ages ranged from 23 to 76 years, with a mean age of 61 years. The most common presenting symptom was headache. The dAVFs were commonly located at the transverse-sigmoid sinus (43%) and superior sagittal sinus (24%). The most common meningioma locations were the tentorium and parietal convexity. In 76% of the cases, the meningioma occluded the sinus. The most common dAVF treatment was transcatheter arterial embolization, followed by tumor resection (52%). Among the 20 cases with available outcome data, 90% reported favorable outcomes.

Conclusion

This report highlights some of the features of coexisting dAVF and meningioma and presents a systematic review of other reports on this phenomenon. Through an in-depth analysis of the literature, we highlight some of the leading theories regarding the causes of concomitant dAVF and meningiomas. Our report supports one of the leading theories that impaired venous return, whether through the occlusion of sinuses or sinus manipulation during surgery, plays a role in the development of dAVF. Further understanding may help guide future clinical decision-making and surgical planning.

Development of a sigmoid sinus dural arteriovenous fistula secondary to sigmoid sinus thrombosis after resection of a foramen magnum meningioma: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

The precise etiology of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is still unknown. The authors reported a case of delayed postoperative sigmoid sinus (SS) DAVF secondary to SS thrombosis after resection of a foramen magnum meningioma through a suboccipital craniotomy.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors visualized the clear architecture of the DAVF using fusion three-dimensional computer graphics (3DCG) images reconstructed from multimodal imaging studies. These fusion 3DCG images revealed that the feeders of the DAVF had connected through neovascularization to the SS at the previous thrombus site. The authors also reviewed previously reported cases of DAVFs that developed after craniotomy.

LESSONS

This study indicated that SS stenosis and occlusion with sinus thrombosis are possible risk factors for delayed postoperative DAVF that demand special consideration.

Efficacy of microsurgery for dural arteriovenous fistula: A systematic review protocol

BACKGROUND

Microsurgery is a treatment option for dural arteriovenous fistula (DAF), but its efficacy is still unclear. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of microsurgery for the treatment of patients with DAF.

METHODS

We will carry out this study assessing the use of microsurgery in patients with DAF from the following electronic databases: PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All those databases will be searched from inception to the present without language limitations. Two independent authors will perform study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality assessment. RevMan 5.3 Software will be applied for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

This study will assess the efficacy and safety of microsurgery for the treatment of patients with DAF through measuring initial treatment failure, late recurrence, neurological improvement, quality of life, and complications.

CONCLUSION

This study will provide most recent evidence of microsurgery for the treatment of patients with DAF.

DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS

The findings of this systematic review will be published in peer-reviewed journals. This systematic review dose not needs ethic approval, because it just analyzes the published data without individual information involvement.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42019144851.