Results of transvenous embolization of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula: a consecutive series of 136 patients with 142 fistulas

Microsurgical Treatment of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Collaborative Investigation From the Multicenter Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

First-line therapy for most intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) is endovascular embolization, but some require microsurgical ligation due to limited endovascular accessibility, anticipated lower cure rates, or unacceptable risk profiles. We investigated the most common surgically treated dAVF locations and the approaches and outcomes of each.

METHODS

The Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research database was retrospectively reviewed. Patients who underwent dAVF microsurgical ligation were included. Patient demographics, angiographic information, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes were collected. The 5 most common surgically treated dAVF locations were analyzed about used surgical approaches and postoperative outcomes. Univariate analyses were performed with statistical significance set at a threshold of P < .05.

RESULTS

In total, 248 patients in the Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research database met inclusion criteria. The 5 most common surgically treated dAVF locations were tentorial, anterior cranial fossa (ACF), transverse-sigmoid sinus (TSS), convexity/superior sagittal sinus (SSS), and torcular. Most tentorial dAVFs were approached using a suboccipital, lateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach (39.3%); extended retrosigmoid approach (ERS) (25%); or posterior subtemporal approach (19.6%). All ACF dAVFs used a subfrontal approach; 5.3% also included an anterior interhemispheric approach. Most TSS dAVFs were ligated via ERS (31.3%) or subtemporal (31.3%) approaches. All convexity/SSS dAVFs used an interhemispheric approach. All torcular dAVFs used the suboccipital, lateral supracerebellar infratentorial approach, with 10.5% undergoing simultaneous ERS craniotomy. Angiographic occlusion rates after microsurgery were 85.5%, 100%, 75.8%, 79.2%, and 73.7% for tentorial, ACF, TSS, convexity/SSS, and torcular dAVFs, respectively (P = .02); the permanent neurological complication rates were 1.8%, 2.6%, 9.1%, 0%, and 0% (P = .31). There were no statistically significant differences in development of complications (P = .08) or Modified Rankin Scale at the last follow-up (P = .11) by fistula location.

CONCLUSION

Although endovascular embolization is the first-line treatment for most intracranial dAVFs, surgical ligation is an important alternative. ACF and tentorial fistulas particularly demonstrate high rates of postoperative obliteration.

Comparison of a Novel Liquid Embolic System with Commonly Used Embolic Agents in the Endovascular Treatment of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Single-Center Experience

Background/Objectives: Endovascular embolization is an effective treatment option for cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of MenoxTM in patients with cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas. Methods: From January 2021 to January 2023, 19 patients with intracranial DAVFs underwent embolization procedures. All patients were treated by embolization with MenoxTM or/and in combination with other embolization products such as Onyx (Covidien, Irvine, California), PHIL (MicroVention, Tustin, California), and Squid (Balt Extrusion, Montmorency, France). Treatment approaches were selected depending on the anatomical location of the fistula. Patients were monitored and followed-up for 12 months. Results: The patients' mean age was 56.26 ± 16.49 years. Of these 19 patients, 58% (n = 11) were treated with the MenoxTM liquid embolizing agent (LEA) alone or in combination with different LEAs, while n = 7 were treated with other LEAs and 1 patient was treated solely with coils. Complete occlusion of DAVFs with MenoxTM and other agents was evident in 68.4% (n = 13/19) of patients. Complete occlusion (100%) was observed in the sinus rectus, transverse sinus, and diploic veins of the orbital roof, while complete occlusion was observed in 50% of falcotentorial patients and 60% of superior sagittal sinus patients. The lowest rate of complete fistula obliteration was observed in the dural carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) group (25%). An intra-procedural adverse event occurred in one patient. No other post-procedural adverse events were noted. Furthermore, in patients treated with MenoxTM, total occlusion was achieved in 72.7% (n = 8) of patients, whereas the non-MenoxTM group had 62.5% (n = 5) of patients with 100% occlusion and 37.5% (n = 3) of patients with subtotal occlusion. Conclusions: Outcomes using MenoxTM alone and in combination with other agents were effective, and it is safe for the treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Endovascular treatment of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas with Onyx: A consecutive series of 62 patients from a single-center

OBJECTIVE

Intracranial intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are mainly treated with an endovascular approach and various embolic agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Onyx embolization in the treatment of DAVFs and characterize the factors as sociated with complete obliteration.

METHODS

This retrospective study was based on 62 patients with DAVFs who underwent endovascular treatment with Onyx alone or in combination with coils at our institution. Clinical and imaging data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients with 64 DAVFs were treated with endovascular embolization. The most common primary symptom was ophthalmological signs with a rate of 37.1%. Cognard type III was the most commonly seen subtype (32.8%). The immediate complete occlusion and follow-up rate was 92.2% and 93.5%, respectively. Transvenous balloon-assisted sinus protection was used in 12 patients (18.8%). The pressure cooker technique was used in eight patients (12.5%). Complications were seen in five patients including intracerebral hemorrhage (n = 2), venous thrombotic events (n = 2), and glued microcatheter (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular Onyx alone or in combination with coils embolization is a safe and effective therapy for DAVFs. Favorable angiographic and clinical outcomes can be achieved using different endovascular approaches. Transvenous balloon-assisted sinus protection and the pressure cooker technique may help achieve complete occlusion of DAVFs.

Microsurgical Obliteration of Craniocervical Junction Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: Multicenter Experience

BACKGROUND

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) located at craniocervical junction are extremely rare (1%-2% of intracranial/spinal dAVFs). Their angio-architectural complexity renders endovascular embolization to be challenging given multiple small feeders with risk of embolysate reflux into vertebral artery and limited transvenous access. The available literature discussing microsurgery for these lesions is limited to few case reports.

OBJECTIVE

To report a multicenter experience assessing microsurgery safety/efficacy.

METHODS

Prospectively maintained registries at 13 North American centers were queried to identify craniocervical junction dAVFs treated with microsurgery (2006-2021).

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients (median age 59.5 years, 44.7% female patients) were included. The most common presentation was subarachnoid/intracranial hemorrhage (47.4%) and myelopathy (36.8%) (92.1% of lesions Cognard type III-V). Direct meningeal branches from V3/4 vertebral artery segments supplied 84.2% of lesions. All lesions failed (n = 5, 13.2%) or were deemed inaccessible/unsafe to endovascular treatment. Far lateral craniotomy was the most used approach (94.7%). Intraoperative angiogram was performed in 39.5% of the cases, with angiographic cure in 94.7% of cases (median imaging follow-up of 9.2 months) and retreatment rate of 5.3%. Favorable last follow-up modified Rankin Scale of 0 to 2 was recorded in 81.6% of the patients with procedural complications of 2.6%.

CONCLUSION

Craniocervical dAVFs represent rare entity of lesions presenting most commonly with hemorrhage or myelopathy because of venous congestion. Microsurgery using a far lateral approach provides robust exposure and visualization for these lesions and allows obliteration of the arterialized draining vein intradurally as close as possible to the fistula point. This approach was associated with a high rate of angiographic cure and favorable clinical outcomes.

Sphenoparietal Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Series of 10 Patients

BACKGROUND

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the sphenoparietal sinus or sphenoid wing region are uncommon lesions with unique and interesting angioarchitecture. Understanding appropriate anatomy and recognizing patterns provide important treatment implications.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a single surgeon's experience with open surgical treatment of sphenoparietal sinus DAVFs, the surgical indications for this uncommon lesion, and the microsurgical techniques related to its treatment and to review the literature on its surgical treatment.

METHODS

Consecutive cases of sphenoparietal sinus DAVF treatment conducted by a single surgeon over 24 years (1997-2020) were retrospectively reviewed. Published reports of similar cases were reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 202 surgically treated DAVFs, 10 lesions in 10 patients were sphenoparietal sinus DAVFs. Four patients presented with intracranial hemorrhage, 3 with headache, and 2 with pulsatile tinnitus; 1 patient was incidentally identified as having a DAVF during treatment for a ruptured aneurysm. Most patients (7 of 10) had undergone endovascular embolization previously. Nine patients had Borden type III DAVFs and one had a Borden type II fistula. Surgery in all 10 patients resulted in angiographically confirmed fistula obliteration. Clinical outcomes at the last follow-up, measured by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, were excellent in 6 patients (mRS ≤ 2) and poor in 1 patient (mRS ≥ 3); late outcomes were not available for 3 patients.

CONCLUSION

Sphenoparietal sinus DAVFs are an uncommon anatomic subtype. Careful attention to angiographic detail leads to identification of the site of venous interruption and results in a high rate of surgical cure with excellent clinical outcomes.

A Novel Approach for Transvenous Embolization of Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Using a Balloon and a Coil as Walls: Case Presentation

Background

Transvenous embolization (TVE) for dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is difficult depending on an accessible route. Reported herein is a case of transvenous embolization using a balloon and a coil as “walls.” Case Description. A 56-year-old male patient presented with a 1-month history of mild motor aphasia. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a hemorrhagic lesion in his left temporal lobe, and the cerebral angiography showed a DAVF, with parasinus shunt points near the torcula and the left transverse sinus. Access to the shunt point was very difficult; however, TVE was performed using a balloon as a wall. Furthermore, all lesion embolization was possible using a coil as a wall.

Conclusions

Using a balloon or coil as a wall during a TVE is useful.

Transarterial embolization of dural arteriovenous fistulas of the lateral sinuses with stent-assisted sinus protection

BACKGROUND

The balloon-assisted sinus protection technique has been described as a sinus-preserving technique during transarterial embolization (TAE) of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). However, some serious complications of this technique have been documented.

OBJECTIVE

To describe our preliminary experience with a new technique called stent-assisted sinus protection (SSP).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of seven consecutive patients with type I or IIa DAVFs of the lateral sinus treated by TAE with a closed-cell stent temporarily deployed in the sinus.

RESULTS

Of the seven patients, four had type I DAVF, and three had type IIa DAVF. The patency of all involved sinuses and their tributaries (including the inferior anastomotic vein and the superior petrosal sinus) was preserved. At the end of the procedure, all stents were successfully retrieved with embolic particles trapped in their meshes. No procedural complications were noted. Clinical follow-up was satisfactory, with complete resolution or significant reduction of pulsatile tinnitus.

CONCLUSIONS

SSP appears to be feasible and probably safe. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.