Endovascular treatment of sphenoid wing dural arteriovenous fistula with pure cortical venous drainage

Transvenous embolization of a Borden III middle cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula through the vein of Trolard and superficial middle cerebral vein: A technical case report

Endovascular treatment for isolated dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) in the middle cranial fossa (MCF) with pure cortical venous drainage poses challenges, including the absence of a safe access route for transvenous embolization (TVE) and the risk of ischemia to neuro feeding vessels and dangerous anastomosis at the sphenoid wing. Therefore, surgical treatment involving direct blockage of venous reflux via craniotomy is typically preferred. We describe the case of a 63-year-old woman presented with generalized seizures and was diagnosed with a Borden III left MCF-DAVF. Initial TVE was unsuccessful due to an occluded inferior petrosal sinus and a lack of connection between the cavernous sinus and the shunt point. After reducing the shunt flow with transarterial embolization, retrograde TVE through cortical drainage enabled successful treatment for the DAVF. We used a triple coaxial system (4-French guiding sheath, 3.2-French intermediate distal access catheter, and 1.5-French microcatheter) to retrogradely navigate a microcathter from the right jugular vein through the superior sagittal sinus, the vein of Trolard, and into the superficial middle cerebral vein, ultimately achieving shunt occlusion using several coils. This case demonstrates that TVE for MCF-DAVFs with pure cortical venous drainage is feasible when a safe anatomical route is established using appropriate strategies and instruments and provides a safe and effective treatment option for similar cases.

Combined open surgery and endovascular embolization for a ruptured sphenoid wing dural arteriovenous fistula

BACKGROUND

The sphenoid wing dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is rare, and can manifest with severe symptoms, particularly in cases classified as greater sphenoid wing type. Endovascular therapy is generally employed, however, open surgical intervention could be warranted in cases with complex fistula.

METHOD

We present a case with ruptured greater sphenoid wing dural AVF (Cognard type IV), in which endovascular embolization using liquid material was performed, followed by open surgery to concurrently disconnect the fistula and evacuate the hematoma.

CONCLUSION

The sphenoid wing dural AVFs may be effectively cured by open surgery for fistula disconnection in conjunction with endovascular embolization.

Endovascular treatment for sphenoidal region dural arteriovenous fistula

Sphenoidal region dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are rare. Endovascular treatment (EVT) is an effective treatment approach. However, understanding and performing EVT for sphenoidal region DAVFs are difficult and challenging. Therefore, we performed a review to explore this issue further. In this review, we discuss the dural feeders and venous structures of the sphenoidal region, the angioarchitecture of sphenoidal region DAVFs, the role and principle of EVT, various EVT techniques, and the prognosis and complications associated with EVT. We found that various EVT techniques, including transarterial embolization (TAE), retrograde transvenous embolization (TVE), and direct puncture EVT, can be used to treat sphenoidal region DAVFs. TAE represents the most commonly utilized approach. TVE and direct puncture EVT should be limited to highly selective cases. EVT must penetrate the fistula and very proximal venous recipient pouch with a liquid embolic agent or coil the fistula point to have a complete curative effect. Successful EVT can lead to the obliteration of sphenoidal region DAVFs and a good clinical outcome. However, these complications cannot be neglected.

Contemporary Management of Cranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are rare acquired neurovascular disorders that have the potential to profoundly alter the local and global cerebral venous drainage. Factors such as location, angioarchitecture, degree of shunting, and mode of presentation all appear to have some bearing on the natural history of dAVFs, which can vary from almost entirely benign to life-threatening. Accurate and evidence-based risk stratification is, therefore, key to informing important management decisions. The treatment strategies are nuanced and, for an already rare entity, can vary tremendously from 1 fistula to another. It is only through a thorough understanding of their behavior and the treatment options available that we will be able to deliver tailored treatment to the correct dAVF and the correct patient. We aimed to provide an up-to-date summary of the reported data on the natural history and predictors of aggressive behavior for cranial dAVFs in general, followed by site-specific management considerations.

Sphenoid wing dural arteriovenous fistula: A case report and literature review

Background:

Sphenoid wing dural arteriovenous fistula (SWDAVF) is rare that is typically fed by middle meningeal artery feeders and that drain through the sphenoparietal sinus or middle cerebral vein. Here, we report a case of SWDAVF treated by coils placed in the venous aneurysm through the contralateral cavernous sinus (CS).

Case Description:

A 37-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with headache and bilateral oculomotor nerve palsy. Magnetic resonance images and an angiogram showed a venous aneurysm in the right middle cranial fossa. A DAVF, consisting of two main feeders, was diagnosed based on the angiogram findings. The fistula drained into the left inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) through the left CS and right IPS. Given the remarkable extent of venous ectasia together with the headache and right abducens nerve paralysis, endovascular treatment was initiated. A transvenous approach through the right IPS was not feasible, as it is strenuous to insert the microcatheter into the right IPS. Thus, we tried an approach through the left IPS. The venous aneurysm was embolized with coils. The postoperative course was uneventful, and postoperative cerebral angiography confirmed disappearance of the fistula.

Conclusion:

A SWDAVF is extremely rare. In our case, since the AVF drained into the contralateral CS, contralateral ocular symptoms occurred. Endovascular occlusion of the venous aneurysm and fistula was achieved through a transvenous approach.

Sphenoid dural arteriovenous fistulas

Sphenoid wing dural AVFs represent a rare clinical entity. These lesions may be asymptomatic or present with focal neurologic deficits, intracranial venous hypertension, or intracranial hemorrhage. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and diagnostic imaging. They are alternatively classified as lesions of either the greater or lesser wings of the sphenoid bone. We performed a search of the PubMed database of studies evaluating the clinical behavior and surgical and endovascular therapies of these lesions. Dural AVFs draining into the superficial middle cerebral vein and/or laterocavernous sinus, or rather, lesions of the greater wing of the sphenoid, exhibit a greater likelihood of developing an aggressive clinical course, with higher probability of cortical venous reflux and consequent intracranial venous hypertension, intracranial hemorrhage, and symptomatic presentation. Dural AVFs of the sphenoparietal sinus, that is, lesions of the lesser wing of the sphenoid, typically exhibit a more benign clinical course, as there is a prominent epidural venous drainage into the cavernous sinus, reducing the risk of cortical venous reflux, and consequently, the probability of intracranial venous hypertension, hemorrhage, and floridly symptomatic presentation. These lesions may be treated via surgical clipping of the fistulous point, transarterial or transvenous embolization, and/or stereotactic radiosurgery. Though surgical intervention was the principal therapy due to facility of craniotomy access to the fistulous point, embolization has become standard of care permitted by innovation in endovascular technology. The natural history, clinical presentation, angioarchitecture, diagnosis, and management of these lesions are reviewed and discussed.

Dural arteriovenous fistula in the sphenoid bone lesser wing region: Endovascular adjuvant techniques of treatment and literature review

This article describes the successful endovascular treatment of a dural arteriovenous fistula of a rare localization (the area of sphenoid bone lesser region). We examine one report of an unusually located dural arteriovenous fistula successfully treated with Onyx (ev3, Irvine, USA) using a combination of endovascular adjuvant techniques: pressure cooker and remodeling balloon protection of cerebral artery. The article includes previously published observations of such fistulas and discusses anatomic features and venous drainage of dural arteriovenous fistulas in the given location.

Dural Arteriovenous Fistula of the Sinus of the Lesser Sphenoid Wing Presenting with Pontine Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the sinus of the lesser sphenoid wing (SLSW) with leptomeningeal drainage are rare. We report a patient with a DAVF of the SLSW draining into the basal vein of Rosenthal (BVR) presenting with pontine hemorrhage.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 71-year-old man presented with sudden right hemisensory disturbance of the arm and leg. Brain computed tomography scan showed left pontine hemorrhage, and cerebral angiography revealed a DAVF of the left SLSW. The fistula drained solely into the left BVR, which had an anastomosis to the left lateral mesencephalic vein, which had a varix invaginated into the left pons. The diagnosis was a DAVF of the left SLSW drained into the lateral mesencephalic vein via the bridging vein of the left SLSW, the deep middle cerebral vein, and the BVR, and a varix of the lateral mesencephalic vein caused pontine hemorrhage. The fistula was occluded by clipping through frontotemporal craniotomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and postoperative cerebral angiography confirmed disappearance of the fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

A DAVF of the SLSW presenting with pontine hemorrhage is extremely rare, and DAVFs with deep leptomeningeal drainage should be included among a variety of etiologies of pontine hemorrhage.

Surgical Treatment of a Dural Arteriovenous Fistula in the Sphenoid Wing with a Unique Drainage Pattern through the Basal Vein of Rosenthal

A 69-year-old man consulted our department regarding further examination because abnormal venous ectasia of the basal vein of Rosenthal (BVR) was accidentally found on magnetic resonance imaging. Angiography revealed a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) in the left sphenoid wing; the fistula was supplied by the ophthalmic artery and the middle meningeal artery. Venous drainage from the fistula consisted of a large collector vein located in the temporal tip, which drained into the BVR. We selected open surgery because this lesion may be difficult to access and is associated with significant risks through an endovascular approach. After temporal clip ligation of the drainer, the superficial middle cerebral vein became the main drainage route directly in connection with the fistula. Therefore, both were ligated, after coagulation of feeding arterial networks on the dura around the sphenoid wing. The patient experienced no complications from the surgical procedure, and postoperative angiography demonstrated obliteration of the fistula. DAVF in the sphenoid wing with deep drainage is believed to carry a high risk of hemorrhage or venous infarction because of the presence of Galenic drainage, varix, and cortical venous reflux. Treatment is strongly recommended even if the symptoms are minimal. Open surgery appears to be safe and often the best therapeutic option.

The maze-making and solving technique for coil embolization of large and giant aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Despite major progress in treating aneurysms by coil embolization, the complete occlusion of aneurysms of >10 mm in diameter (large/giant aneurysms) remains challenging. We present a novel endovascular treatment method for large and giant cerebral aneurysms called the "maze-making and solving" technique and compare the short-term follow-up results of this technique with those of conventional coil embolization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight patients (65 ± 11.5 years of age, 7 women) with large/giant unruptured nonthrombosed cerebral aneurysm (mean largest aneurysm dimension, 19 ± 4.4 mm) were treated by the maze-making and solving technique, a combination of the double-catheter technique and various assisted techniques. The coil-packing attenuation, postoperative courses, and recurrence rate of this maze group were compared with 30 previous cases (conventional group, 65.4 ± 13.0 years of age; 22 women; mean largest aneurysm dimension, 13.4 ± 3.8 mm).

RESULTS

Four maze group cases were Raymond class 1; and 4 were class 2 as indicated by immediate postsurgical angiography. No perioperative deaths or major strokes occurred. Mean packing attenuation of the maze group was significantly higher than that of the conventional group (37.4 ± 5.9% versus 26.2 ± 5.6%). Follow-up angiography performed at 11.3 ± 5.4 months revealed no recurrence in the maze group compared with 39.2% in the conventional group.

CONCLUSIONS

The maze-making and solving technique achieves high coil-packing attenuation for efficient embolization of large and giant cerebral aneurysms with a low risk of recurrence.