Successful surgical treatment of a dural arteriovenous fistula at the craniocervical junction with reference to pre- and postoperative MRI

Neuroradiology. 1999 Jun;41(6):463-7. doi: 10.1007/s002340050785.

Abstract

We report a 62-year-old woman who presented with a myelopathy at the lower thoracic level. Left vertebral angiography revealed a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) at the craniocervical junction, draining into an anterior spinal vein. Below the T7 level, the spinal cord gave high signal on T2-weighted images and enhanced with Gd-DTPA. The patient was successfully treated by simple clipping of vein draining the DAVF. The abnormal signal intensity and contrast enhancement rapidly regressed, except in the conus medullaris. Regression of the parenchymal abnormality on serial MRI following treatment corresponded closely with postoperative improvement of neurological function.

MeSH terms

  • Arteriovenous Fistula / pathology*
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / surgery*
  • Dura Mater / pathology*
  • Dura Mater / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Period
  • Spinal Cord / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord / surgery*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / surgery*