Two cases of a dural arteriovenous fistula mimicking a brain tumor

Simultaneous Parkinsonism and Dementia as Initial Presentation of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (IDAVFs) are abnormal vascular connections between dural arteries and various venous structures within the brain. IDAVFs, rarely present with parkinsonism and dementia concurrently, making this a unique and underexplored clinical scenario. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to comprehensively analyze cases of IDAVFs manifesting as both parkinsonism and dementia.

METHODS

We assessed databases from inception to September 18, 2023. We identified studies describing patients with IDAVFs initially presenting with dementia or parkinsonism. Inclusion criteria encompassed case reports and case series, while excluding review articles, guidelines, technical notes, comments, conference abstracts, and editorials.

RESULTS

The systematic search resulted in the initial screening of 383 studies, with 33 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Among these, 29 were case reports, often describing 3 or fewer patients. From the remaining 4 case series, data pertinent to patients presenting both parkinsonism and dementia were selectively extracted, yielding a total study population of 43 patients. The anatomical distribution of IDAVFs within this cohort was diverse, with the transverse and sigmoid sinuses being the most common locations. Although most of these patients received endovascular therapy, a few underwent microsurgical occlusion or combined surgical and endovascular treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

IDAVFs presenting with both parkinsonism and dementia represent a rare clinical entity. This systematic review provides valuable insights into the clinical characteristics, treatment options, and outcomes for such cases. However, additional research involving larger cohorts is essential to better comprehend the underlying mechanisms and establish standardized therapeutic guidelines.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas misdiagnosed as intracranial neoplasms: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVF) may induce imaging findings attributable to various disease entities including malignant neoplasms. In these cases, diagnosis and adequate treatment are often delayed and patients may be exposed to spurious treatments in addition to the risks inherent to an untreated dAVF with cortical venous drainage.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors report a case of a patient referred for surgical treatment of a supratentorial high-grade glioma. Thorough review of imaging data challenged the initial radiological diagnosis and led to proper angiographic workup. As a result, a high-grade dAVF was confirmed and successfully embolized. In addition to this case, we provide an extensive literature review on dAVF initially diagnosed as cerebral neoplasms, including clinical, imaging and follow-up data.

LESSONS

The literature provides diagnostic criteria for dAVF on magnetic resonance imaging; however, those criteria may be only partly applicable in many cases. Misdiagnosis of a neoplasm due to dAVF has been reported but remains rare, especially in supratentorial lesions. Digital subtraction angiography should be pursued to rule out an underlying vascular pathology if any doubt. This may prevent unnecessary interventions such as biopsies, pharmacological treatment and a delay in dAVF treatment, given its associated risk of hemorrhage and nonhemorrhagic neurological deficits.

Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Mimicking a Supratentorial Tumor

BACKGROUND

The pathophysiology of dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVF) is not fully understood. Retrograde venous flow can lead to venous congestion and disruption of the blood-brain barrier, resulting in diffuse contrast enhancement.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We present the case of a patient with a supratentorial dAVF associated with a solid, tumor-appearing, corticosubcortical contrast-enhancing lesion. Surgical occlusion of the dAVF was followed by complete regression of the contrast-enhancing lesion. Histologic analysis of the lesion showed normal brain tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report highlights how venous congestion is an important differential diagnosis in contrast-enhancing lesions associated with dAVF and how it should be taken in consideration to avoid radiologic misdiagnoses and unnecessary treatment.

Resolution of brainstem edema after treatment of a dural tentorial arteriovenous fistula

We report a patient with a petrosal arterio-venous dural fistula draining into the ponto-mesencephalic and medullary venous systems presenting with edema of the brain stem and complete reversal of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities after combined endovascular and surgical treatments. The venous anatomy of the posterior fossa and the significance of the venous involvement as the cause of clinical symptoms and imaging abnormalities in cerebro-medullary vascular lesions are discussed.

CT and MR imaging of non-cavernous cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: Findings associated with cortical venous reflux

PURPOSE

To compare the conventional CT and MR findings of DAVFs in relation to the venous drainage pattern on digital subtraction angiography (DSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional imaging findings (CT and/or MR) in 92 patients were compared to the presence of cortical venous reflux (CVR) on DSA.

RESULTS

Imaging features significantly more prevalent in patients with CVR included: abnormally dilated and tortuous leptomeningeal vessels (92% vs. 4%, p<0.001) or medullary vessels (69% vs. 0%, p<0.001), venous ectasias (45% vs. 0%, p<0.001) and focal vasogenic edema (38% vs. 0%, p<0.001). The following findings trended towards association but did not reach the p value established following Bonferroni correction: dilated external carotid artery branches (71% vs. 38%, p=0.005), cluster of vessels surrounding dural venous sinus (50% vs. 19%, p=0.009), presence of hemorrhage (33 vs. 12%, p=0.040), and parenchymal enhancement (21% vs. 0%, p=0.030).

CONCLUSION

In the appropriate clinical setting, recognition of ancillary signs presumably related to venous arterialization and congestion as well as arterial feeder hypertrophy should prompt DSA confirmation to identify DAVFs associated with CVR.