Spontaneous occlusion of a spinal arteriovenous malformation: is treatment always necessary?

J Neurosurg Spine. 2010 Apr;12(4):397-401. doi: 10.3171/2009.10.SPINE09421.

Abstract

Knowledge of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) has recently been improved by studies on pathophysiology, neuroimaging, and genetic data. Nevertheless, the natural history of these lesions remains poorly understood. The authors present the case of an angiographic regression of a nidal-type spinal AVM at T-12 to L-1 in a 46-year-old woman with no risk factors. The natural course of untreated lesions is reviewed and discussed. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that reports an angiographically proven complete spontaneous occlusion of a spinal AVM.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiography, Digital Subtraction
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / complications*
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / diagnosis
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Ischemia / diagnosis
  • Ischemia / etiology
  • Ischemia / physiopathology
  • Leg
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology
  • Muscle Weakness / physiopathology
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Spinal Cord / blood supply
  • Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Thrombosis / etiology*