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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2018; 76(10): 722-723
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20180092
Images in Neurology

Pediatric spinal perimedullary arteriovenous fistula

Fístula arteriovenosa perimedular espinhal pediátrica
Mauricio F. Villamar
1   University of Kentucky, Department of Neurology, Lexington, KY, USA
,
Gulam Qutubuddin Khan
1   University of Kentucky, Department of Neurology, Lexington, KY, USA
,
Valeria I. Naranjo
1   University of Kentucky, Department of Neurology, Lexington, KY, USA
,
Abdulnasser Alhajeri
2   University of Kentucky, Departments of Radiology and Neurosurgery, Lexington, KY, USA
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A previously healthy 23-month-old girl presented with acute paraparesis and bilaterally upgoing toes. MRI revealed a spinal perimedullary arteriovenous fistula (PMAVF)[1] between T6 and the conus medullaris ([Figures 1A-1B]; [2A-2B]).

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Figure 1 Spinal MRI. Focal area of hemorrhage at T9-10 with serpiginous signal void is seen on sagittal T2 (Panel A, arrow) and STIR sequences (Panel B, arrow), indicating PMAVF. Postembolization sagittal STIR revealed complete PMAVF resolution, with residual hemosiderin deposition from a prior hemorrhage (Panel C, arrow).
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Figure 2 Spinal angiogram. Spinal angiogram demonstrated two spinal arteries (T11 and T12 arteries; Panels A and C, arrows) fistulating with a large ectatic vein (Panel B), with reflux into the spinal venous plexus from the conus into the upper thoracic region (Panel A, arrowhead). When T11 was injected, contrast would reflux from the fistula toward T12 (Panel B). Trans-arterial Onyx® embolization through the T11 artery was performed. Postembolization with T11 intercostal artery injection shows Onyx® cast within the fistula at the junction between the artery and the draining vein (Panel C, arrowhead).

Trans-arterial Onyx® embolization[2] was performed ([Figure 2C]). She had complete recovery post-therapy. Follow-up MRIs showed no recurrence of PMAVF ([Figure 1C]).

PMAVFs, or type IV arteriovenous malformations, are intradural spinal vascular abnormalities (in contrast to dural arteriovenous fistulas) that lack a nidus (as opposed to type II-III arteriovenous malformations)[2],[3].

Asymptomatic PMAVFs are uncommon; most cause slowly progressive medullary/radicular signs, although symptoms can develop acutely[1],[4]. When treated, PMAVFs typically have a more favorable prognosis than other spinal arteriovenous malformations[1].



Publication History

Received: 06 April 2018

Accepted: 29 May 2018

Article published online:
22 August 2023

© 2023. Academia Brasileira de Neurologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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