Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.13(2) > 1035706

Kang, Pyun, Shin, and Sohn: Myelopathy due to Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: A Case Report

Abstract

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas are rare abnormal connections of arteries and veins on the surface of the dura. A male presenting with myelopathy, which had a slowly progressive course for about 28 months, was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and selective angiography. After surgical coagulation and excision, his symptoms were mildly improved. We report here on a man who underwent a surgical procedure for his myelopathy that was due to spinal arteriovenous fistula. Although it is unusual, spinal arteriovenous fistula should be considered when making a differential diagnosis of myelopathy.

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Fig. 1A-D.
(A) Coronal and sagittal T2-weighted MRI of the thoracic spine shows marked tortuosity of the perimedullary vessel in upper and midthoracic spine level. (arrow) (B) (Right) Sagittal T2-weighted MRI of the thoracic spine shows fine dotted signal intensities in subdural space and intramedullary hyperintensity within spinal cord. (Left) Sagittal T2-weighted MRI of the thoracolumbar spine shows serpentine signal intensities within spinal cord in lumbar spine area.
jkss-13-126f1.tif
Fig. 2.
(A, B) Axial T2-weighted MRI (Right) In midthoracic level, fine dotted signal intensities in subdural space. (Left) In lumbar 3-4th disc level, abnormal dilated intradural medullary vein. (arrow)
jkss-13-126f2.tif
Fig. 3.
(A, B) Spinal angiography (A) feeding artery -Adamkiewicz artery comes from left thoracic 11 level. (arrow) (B) Shunt were found at lumbar 3-4th disc level. (arrow)
jkss-13-126f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Intraoperative photograph showing an arterialized vein within dural sac in umbar 3-4th disc level. The fistula was treated with coagulation. (arrow)
jkss-13-126f4.tif
Fig. 5.
Artist's rendering of an intradural ventral arteriovenous fistula.
jkss-13-126f5.tif
Fig. 6.
(A) Sagittal T2-weighted MRI of the thoracolumbar spine shows no fine dotted signal intensities and no hyperintensity within spinal cord. (B) Axial T2-weighted MRI shows no abnormally enlarged intradural medullary vein.
jkss-13-126f6.tif
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