A rare case of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula

Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome Caused by Epidural Steroid Injection in the Setting of a Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula

We present a case of acute cauda equina syndrome caused by an epidural steroid injection in the setting of a previously undiagnosed spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF). Our patient was a 61-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with low back pain, inability to walk, paresthesias of his bilateral lower extremities, bowel and bladder incontinence, and saddle anesthesia. Physical examination revealed weakness and decreased sensation of the lower extremities as well as poor rectal tone and urinary retention. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed evidence of spinal cord edema in the T9-10 region and a probable SDAVF with secondary distal thoracic cord ischemia. This case highlights the importance of prompt recognition of cauda equina syndrome in the emergency department, expedient imaging, and efficient transfers of care, which allowed this patient to quickly undergo necessary surgery that led to an almost complete recovery. It also highlights the importance of recognizing subtle changes on lumbar MRI.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula: A rare cause of progressive myelopathy and bladder and bowel dysfunction

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is a rarely seen vascular lesion in the spinal cord and is often overlooked. If left untreated in the early stages, it is associated with severe morbidity and may lead to progressive myelopathy and bladder and bowel dysfunction. A 55-year-old male patient was admitted with complaints of lower extremity weakness, gait disorder, urinary retention, and stool retention. Based on physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging findings, a preliminary diagnosis of SDAVF was made. The diagnosis was confirmed by spinal angiography showing SDAVF on the left T6. Microsurgery was planned, once endovascular embolization failed. Although symptoms of progressive myelopathy and bladder and bowel dysfunction are rarely seen, SDAVF diagnosis should not be overlooked, and it should be kept in mind that early diagnosis and treatment prevent severe morbidities.

Paraplegia Following Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection in a Patient With a Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula

We report a patient with a previously undiagnosed spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) who became acutely paraplegic following a lumbar epidural steroid injection for lumbar spinal stenosis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple flow voids and serpentine vessels on the cord surface with cord edema extending from T3 through the conus. Spinal angiography confirmed an SDAVF fed by the left lateral sacral artery, which was subsequently endovascularly embolized, and the patient had a partial return of function. Presence of an undiagnosed SDAVF should be considered in patients presenting with lower-extremity weakness without pain and considered a contraindication to lumbar epidural steroid injection.

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Presenting as a Recurrent Nucleus Pulposus Herniation: A Case Report and Literature Review

CASE

Of the many potential causes of nerve compression that lead to radiculopathy, vascular etiologies remain among the most infrequent, with an estimated prevalence of only five to ten per million cases of radiculopathy. In this case report, we outline the clinical presentation, imaging, intraoperative findings, and pathologic findings for a fifty-four-year old patient with an intradural, extramedullary form of a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula at the L1-L2 level who presented only with axial back pain and radiculopathy. The radiologist and surgeon initially diagnosed the patient with a herniated nucleus pulposus. However, the intraoperative findings and angiogram were suggestive of an arteriovenous fistula. Methods to identify this rare entity are described for the orthopaedic spine community.

CONCLUSION

The potential for a missed diagnosis is particularly important as many partial discectomy procedures are performed at small surgical centers with limited blood products available and no vascular surgeon on staff. For patients with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that is suggestive of vascular malformations (T2 hyperintensity in the lower spinal cord and conus medullaris), we recommend that MR angiography be performed as a secondary diagnostic evaluation. MR angiography has a 95% positive predictive value for specifically diagnosing an arteriovenous fistula.

Intramedullary hemorrhage from a thoracolumbar dural arteriovenous fistula

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are acquired lesions presenting typically with neurologic deficits secondary to chronic congestive myelopathy. The low-flow and low-volume nature of these lesions makes hemorrhage very unlikely, and intramedullary hemorrhage caused by thoracolumbar dural AVFs is exceedingly rare.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to report a case of intramedullary hemorrhage caused by a thoracolumbar dural AVF.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

The study design included a case report and review of literature.

METHODS

A case of intramedullary hemorrhage from a thoracolumbar dural AVF was reported, and the literature regarding hemorrhagic presentations of dural AVF was reviewed.

RESULTS

A 66-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of abdominal pain, paraplegia, sensory loss below the costal margins, and urinary retention. Magnetic resonance imaging scan showed intramedullary hemorrhage with abnormal flow voids raising suspicion of an intramedullary AV malformation. However, subsequent selective spinal angiography demonstrated a spinal dural AVF fed by the T7 intercostal artery and a varix within the draining vein. Complete obliteration of the dural AVF and the varix was achieved via embolization. As far as we are aware, there are only two other similar cases in the literature. Literature review revealed that presentation of thoracolumbar dural AVFs with hemorrhage is frequently associated with accelerated venous flow and the presence of a venous varix.

CONCLUSIONS

Although very unusual, a spinal dural AVF may present with intramedullary hemorrhage, and hemorrhage in such conditions may be associated with an accelerated venous flow and the presence of a venous varix.