Venous aneurysm development associated with a dural arteriovenous fistula of the anterior cranial fossa with devastating hemorrhage--case report

A 67-year-old man presented with devastating intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) from an anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). Four years earlier, digital subtraction angiography had disclosed a DAVF at the right anterior cranial fossa fed mainly by the ethmoidal branches of the bilateral sphenopalatine arteries and slightly by the ethmoidal arteries of the bilateral ophthalmic arteries, and drained primarily by the sphenoparietal and cavernous sinuses via two dilated cortical veins and slightly by the superior sagittal sinus via a frontal ascending vein. Three-dimensional computed tomography angiography revealed the development of a venous aneurysm on the main draining vein over a 4-year period, but no other changes. Venous aneurysm development may be part of the natural history of DAVF with cortical venous drainage and may contribute to the occurrence of ICH.     

Dural arteriovenous fistulas supplied by ethmoidal arteries

Eight patients with dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) located on the floor of the anterior cranial fossa and supplied by enlarged ethmoidal branches of the ophthalmic artery are described. Five patients showed the classical symptom of intracerebral hemorrhage (all five had ipsilateral frontal lobe hematomas and one also had an associated a subdural hematoma). Two patients exhibited atypical symptoms of proptosis, chemosis, elevated intraocular pressure, and loss of vision secondary to an ethmoidal DAVF, which drained posteriorly to the cavernous sinus. The eighth patient exhibited proptosis and chemosis secondary to a cavernous sinus DAVF and was incidentally found to have an asymptomatic ethmoidal DAVF. One additional patient had two separate dural fistulas: one located on the cribriform plate and the second located in the posterior fossa. Seven of the eight patients were cured by surgical excision of the fistula site; in the remaining patient spontaneous obliteration followed a surgical procedure for a cavernous DAVF. DAVFs involving the floor of the anterior cranial fossa usually present with hemorrhage, but can present with ocular symptoms or be entirely asymptomatic and are effectively treated by surgical excision of the fistula site.     

Association of cerebral aneurysm and dural arteriovenous malformation in the anterior cranial fossa: a case report

A case of dural arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in the base of the anterior cranial fossa associated with a ruptured anterior communicating aneurysm was reported in a 67-year-old man. The dural AVM was fed by the left anterior ethmoidal artery and drained by the left frontal ascending vein with a varicose dilatation. The aneurysm was clipped and the dural AVM was removed in two stages. Dural AVM in the base of the anterior cranial fossa is rare, and we could find only 17 previous reports. Two of them presented with exophthalmos, whereas the remaining 15 cases presented with an intracranial hemorrhage from rupture of the dural AVM. An association of an aneurysm with the dural AVM in this location has not been reported previously.     

Dural arteriovenous fistula of the sphenobasilar sinus with concomitant meningioma: case report and review of the literature

Dural arteriovenous fistula of the sphenobasilar sinus is a true but rare lesion that connects the meningeal arteries from both the external and internal carotid arteries to the superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV) and dural sinus. It must be distinguished from other dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the middle cranial fossa, such as cavernous DAVFs and sphenoparietal sinus DAVF, because of differences in the treatment and outcome between these DAVFs. Two patients with sphenobasilar sinus DAVFs reported in the literature have been identified, but they did not simultaneously harbor intracranial meningiomas. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the patient described here is the first case that concomitantly harbors a sphenobasilar sinus DAVF and intracranial meningioma. A 42-year-old man presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiography demonstrated a DAVF of the sphenobasilar sinus with a giant venous aneurysm of the SMCV. After transarterial embolization, the fistula was successfully obliterated and the giant venous aneurysm was resected microsurgically. A fortuitous small meningioma at the anterior clinoid was found and removed during the operation. The patient recovered excellently and resumed his normal activities. The relevant literature is reviewed and discussed.     

Management of dural arteriovenous malformations of the anterior cranial fossa

Eight patients with dural arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) of the anterior cranial fossa are presented, and the pertinent literature is reviewed. Unlike cases of dural AVM's in other locations, sudden massive intracerebral hemorrhage was the most frequent reason for presentation. Other symptoms included tinnitus, retro-orbital headache, and a generalized seizure. The malformations were supplied consistently by the anterior ethmoidal artery, usually in combination with other less prominent feeding vessels. The lesion's venous drainage was through the superior sagittal sinus via a cortical vein; in addition, in two cases a subfrontal vein drained the AVM. A venous aneurysm was encountered near the site of anastomosis with the dural feeder in most cases, and was found in all patients who presented with hemorrhage. The AVM was obliterated surgically in six patients, with favorable results achieved in five. One patient died postoperatively from a pulmonary complication. Because of their anatomy and proclivity for hemorrhage, these vascular malformations represent a unique group of dural AVM's. Surgical management of anterior fossa dural AVM's carries low morbidity, and is indicated when the lesions have caused hemorrhage or when there is an associated venous aneurysm.     

A case of ruptured aneurysm of the middle cerebral artery associated with dural arteriovenous fistula in the anterior cranial fossa

A 66-year-old man suffered from subarachnoid hemorrhage due to the rupture of a right middle cerebral artery aneurysm that was detected by 3D-CTA. He underwent an emergent clipping operation. Incidentally, postoperative DSA demonstrated dural arteriovenous fistula in the left anterior cranial fossa, which was fed by the left anterior ethmoidal artery and drained into the superior sagittal sinus via the cortical vein of the left frontal lobe. We performed electrocoagulation and division of the fistula at the second surgery. Subsequently, he underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt and was discharged without any neurological deficits. We reviewed reported cases of rare association of ruptured cerebral aneurysm and dural arteriovenous fistula in the left anterior cranial fossa.     

Intraosseous dural arteriovenous fistula of the skull base associated with hearing loss. Case report

The most common clinical presentations of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are bruit, headache, increased intracranial pressure, and intracranial hemorrhage. In particular locations, such as the cavernous sinus or middle cranial fossa, cranial nerve involvement due to dural arterial steal or venous occlusion may develop. A case in which a DAVF is associated with hearing loss, however, has not previously been reported. The authors report a case in which an intraosseous DAVF and associated hearing loss probably resulted from cochlear nerve or vascular compression caused by the draining vein or nidus of the DAVF.     

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula with an associated feeding artery aneurysm: case report

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: A case of a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) with two associated feeding artery aneurysms is reported. Intradural spinal arteriovenous malformations have been associated with aneurysms that present with subarachnoid hemorrhage and with venous varices that produce mass effect, but spinal DAVFs have not previously been described in association with feeding artery aneurysms. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old man presented with progressive spastic paraparesis, constipation, and overflow incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a spinal vascular lesion and venous ischemia in the lower spinal cord. Diagnostic spinal angiography revealed a DAVF originating from the left T11 radicular artery and having the unusual feature of two proximal feeding artery aneurysms. INTERVENTION: The patient deteriorated neurologically after undergoing angiography, prompting emergent surgery. The DAVF was resected through a T11 transpedicular approach. One aneurysm was dolichoectatic and therefore unclippable, requiring proximal occlusion of the parent artery after establishing tolerance of test occlusion using somatosensory evoked potentials; the second aneurysm was adjacent to the fistula and was resected with the DAVF. CONCLUSION: Feeding artery aneurysms in association with spinal DAVFs have not been previously reported. They present additional risk to patients and, with simple modifications of the standard operative approaches, can easily be treated as part of the surgery for the DAVF.     

Dural arteriovenous fistulae in the anterior cranial fossa--report of three cases

Dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF's) in the anterior cranial fossa are uncommon. We encountered three patients with DAVF's in the anterior cranial fossa and reviewed the pertinent literature with regard to the etiology. All patients are middle-aged males. Two of three patients had massive intracranial hemorrhage, subarachnoidal hemorrhage in one and subdural hemorrhage in the other. One patient had a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm and DAVF at the anterior cranial fossa was detected only incidentally. Angiographically, blood supplies were from the bilateral enlarged anterior ethmoidal arteries. These drained into the superior sagittal sinus via dilated frontal cortical veins. In all the patients, coagulation of the fistulous connections was carried out and the postoperative courses were uneventful. Angiographies revealed complete disappearance of the DAVF's. In conclusion, compared to cases of DAVF's in the other locations, DAVF's of the anterior cranial fossa are more likely to be brought on by sudden massive intracranial hemorrhage, and should be treated, even if asymptomatic, at the time of diagnosis. Surgical obliteration of the fistulous connection is sufficient treatment for DAVF in the anterior cranial fossa. Literature review strongly suggests that DAVF's involving the anterior cranial fossa are acquired lesions.     

Ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm associated with anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula--case report

A 77-year-old man presented with an extremely rare association of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) with anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm manifesting as consciousness deterioration due to intracerebral hemorrhage in the left frontal lobe and diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiography confirmed the association of a dural AVF fed by both ethmoidal arteries and an ACoA aneurysm. Surgery for these two lesions was performed concurrently, and the ACoA aneurysm was found to be responsible for the hemorrhage. This association seems incidental, but is clinically significant since the preoperative determination of the bleeding point is difficult. We conclude that these two lesions should be treated simultaneously, to avoid leaving the ruptured point untreated.     

Management strategies for anterior cranial fossa (ethmoidal) dural arteriovenous fistulas with an emphasis on endovascular treatment

OBJECT: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the anterior cranial fossa are rare lesions that can cause intracranial hemorrhage. Authors of previous reports mostly have described open surgical treatment for this fistula type. The authors' purpose in the present study was to describe their experience with anterior cranial fossa DAVFs, including their endovascular treatment. METHODS: All patients with anterior cranial fossa DAVFs diagnosed and treated in 3 separate institutions during the last 23 years were retrospectively identified. Clinical charts, imaging studies, and procedural notes were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (22 males and 2 females), ranging in age from 3 to 77 years, harbored 24 DAVFs in the anterior cranial fossa. Eleven patients were primarily treated with surgical disconnection and 2 with radiosurgery. Eleven patients were treated endovascularly; 7 of these patients (63.6%) were cured. In 4 cases of failed embolization, final disconnection was achieved through surgery. In fact, surgery was effective in disconnecting the fistula in 100% of cases. All endovascular procedures consisted of transarterial injections of diluted glue (N-butyl cyanoacrylate [NBCA]), and there were no complications. Brain edema developed around the venous pouch and confusion was apparent after venous disconnection in 1 surgically treated patient. No patient suffered a hemorrhage during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Disconnection of an anterior cranial fossa DAVF by using transarterial catheterization through the ophthalmic artery and subsequent injection of NBCA is possible with a reasonable success rate and low risk for complications. In patients with good vascular access this procedure could be the treatment of choice, to be followed by open surgery in cases of embolization failure.     

Multiple spinal and cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas

Synchronous multiplicity of cranial and spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) is known but uncommon. The authors report on a patient with the unusual finding of multiple cranial and multiple separate spinal DAVFs. The patient initially presented with vague visual symptoms in 2004. A cranial DAVF was identified along the left transverse sinus with cortical venous reflux and another DAVF was identified along the posterior part of the superior sagittal sinus with no cortical venous reflux. The first DAVF was treated both endovascularly and surgically and the second was left untreated. The follow-up angiogram showed multiple spinal DAVFs at the levels of C-1, C-2, and C-6 on the left side and at the C-3 level on the right side along with another cranial DAVF along the anterior part of the superior sagittal sinus with cortical venous reflux. A retrospective analysis of the digital subtraction angiogram and MR images suggested that the cervical spinal DAVFs were already present in 2004 (6 years previously). Multiple DAVFs, although rare, do exist and it is important to look for any evidence of their presence when evaluating patients with symptoms suggestive of arteriovenous fistulas.     

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula associated with progressive cervical myelopathy and normal venous drainage of the thoracolumbar cord: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Intracranial dural arteriovenous malformations draining into the perimedullary venous system are rare lesions. In these cases, the selective spinal catheterization of all vessels with potential of causing that malformation was negative, and additional cerebral angiography usually reveals the fistula. Because of venous congestion of the cord caused by the DAVF, a delayed drainage or stagnation of contrast material in the artery of Adamkiewicz was considered as a compelling angiographic disorder so far. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report about a 58-year-old patient with a DAVF of the right posterior fossa draining into the cervical and upper thoracic plexus of medullary veins, followed by progressive cervical myelopathy and a normal venous drainage of the artery of Adamkiewicz. Because of the failing endovascular treatment option, the neurosurgical intervention was performed. The fistula was explored and clipped without any complications. Immediately after operation, the patient reported an improvement of his neurological deficits. CONCLUSION: About 38 cases of intracranial DAVFs draining into the perimedullary venous system are reported, but to our knowledge, this is the second one with a normal drainage of the artery of Adamkiewicz. The pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment modalities are discussed.     

Dural arteriovenous fistula of the anterior cranial fossa associated with a ruptured ophthalmic aneurysm: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) accompanied by intracranial aneurysms is an extremely rare situation. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 65-year-old man presented with sudden loss of consciousness for about half an hour. Computed tomographic scan of the brain showed subarachnoid hemorrhage. Angiogram revealed an ophthalmic aneurysm. In addition, a DAVF located in the anterior cranial fossa was also found. The ruptured aneurysm was completely occluded by coil embolization and the DAVF of the anterior cranial fossa was treated with gamma knife radiosurgery after an uneventful postoperative course. The patient was managed nonoperatively and discharged with close follow-up. CONCLUSION: An unusual case of anterior cranial fossa DAVF associated with a ruptured ophthalmic aneurysm is reported. We feel special consideration may be required in deciding the priority of treatment in such cases.     

The improvement in regional cerebral blood flow in the anterior cranial fossa which was affected by a dural arteriovenous fistula: case report

We report a case of dural arteriovenous fistula of the anterior cranial fossa with venous ischemia. A 55-year-old man presented with headache and visual disturbance. Neurological examination showed no abnormality. MR images demonstrated flow void at the right anterior cranial fossa. Right internal carotid angiograms showed a dural arteriovenous fistula of the anterior cranial fossa, fed by the anterior ethmoidal artery. The draining vein was the leptomeningeal vein draining into the basal vein, the straight sinus, and the left transverse sinus. 123I-IMP SPECT revealed a low perfusion area in the left occipital region. We interrupted the draining vein at the anterior cranial fossa. Angiographic cure was obtained and venous circulation was improved. 123I-IMP SPECT revealed improvement in the low perfusion area in the left occipital region. The postoperative course was uneventful. We discuss the clinical features, the hemodynamic findings and the management of this case.     

Dural arteriovenous fistula of the anterior cranial fossa associated with occlusion of the internal carotid artery: a case report]

We reported a case with dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) of the anterior cranial fossa associated with occlusion of the left cervical internal carotid artery. A 73-year-old man was admitted with total aphasia and right hemiparesis. Computed tomography showed an ischemic lesion of the left cerebral hemisphere and old infarction of the left occipital lobe. Angiography revealed occlusion of the left cervical internal carotid artery and dAVF of the anterior cranial fossa, fed by the left middle meningeal and the right anterior ethmoidal artery. Follow-up angiography revealed spontaneous recanalization and severe arteriosclerosis of the left internal carotid artery. After marked improvement of neurological deficits, the patient underwent surgical clipping of the draining veins to occlude the dAVF of the anterior cranial fossa. We speculated that marked development of the collateral circulation from the external carotid system might result in the occurrence of dAVF of the anterior cranial fossa.     

Dural arteriovenous fistula of the anterior condylar confluence and hypoglossal canal mimicking a jugular foramen tumor

The anterior condylar confluence (ACC) is located on the external orifice of the canal of the hypoglossal nerve and provides multiple connections with the dural venous sinuses of the posterior fossa, internal jugular vein, and the vertebral venous plexus. Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the ACC and hypoglossal canal (anterior condylar vein) are extremely rare. The authors present a case involving an ACC DAVF and hypoglossal canal that mimicked a hypervascular jugular bulb tumor. This 53-year-old man presented with right hypoglossal nerve palsy. A right pulsatile tinnitus had resolved several months previously. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an enhancing right-sided jugular foramen lesion involving the hypoglossal canal. Cerebral angiography revealed a hypervascular lesion at the jugular bulb, with early venous drainage into the extracranial vertebral venous plexus. This was thought to represent either a glomus jugulare tumor or a DAVF. The patient underwent preoperative transarterial embolization followed by surgical exploration via a far-lateral transcondylar approach. At surgery, a DAVF was identified draining into the ACC and hypoglossal canal. The fistula was surgically obliterated, and this was confirmed on postoperative angiography. The patient's hypoglossal nerve palsy resolved. Dural arteriovenous fistulas of the ACC and hypoglossal canal are rare lesions that can present with isolated hypoglossal nerve palsies. They should be included in the differential diagnosis of hypervascular jugular bulb lesions. The authors review the anatomy of the ACC and discuss the literature on DAVFs involving the hypoglossal canal.     

Cranial base approaches for the surgical treatment of aggressive posterior fossa dural arteriovenous fistulae with leptomeningeal drainage: report of four technical cases

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVFs) with leptomeningeal drainage have an aggressive natural history. Urgent treatment is necessary to arrest neurological deterioration and to prevent the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. In many patients, a primary endovascular approach is the most appropriate and most successful treatment available. In some circumstances, however, surgical intervention is required for complete obliteration. Posterior fossa DAVFs are generally deep-seated and difficult to gain access to with standard surgical approaches. The advent of cranial base surgery allows 360-degree access to the draining venous complex or sinus via extradural bone removal. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Four patients with posterior fossa DAVFs presented to the neurosurgical service at our institutions. One DAVF was located at the craniocervical junction, and three were tentorial DAVFs of the superior petrosal sinus. All four patients were treated surgically with extradural bone removal. INTERVENTION: Postoperative angiography documented complete obliteration of all four DAVFs. All patients had normal recoveries, with the exception of one patient who experienced persistent temporal lobe seizure activity as a result of the presenting hematoma. One patient died of unrelated causes 2 years after surgery. One postoperative temporal lobe hematoma required evacuation. CONCLUSION: Recent advances in cranial base techniques have allowed the successful obliteration of aggressive posterior fossa DAVFs with acceptable morbidity. The use of these techniques should be considered in selected patients who cannot be treated with endovascular approaches.     

Spontaneous closure of dural arteriovenous fistula after performing diagnostic angiography

The pathogenesis and clinical treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) has been well established. However, only 15 cases of spontaneous closure of DAVFs have been reported. We describe a case of spontaneous closure of a DAVF. A 60-year-old male presented with pulsatile tinnitus. Selective cerebral angiography revealed a left posterior DAVF fed by the left occipital artery and the middle meningeal artery, which drained into the left transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus. Following the initial angiography, the patient exhibited vomiting with transient disorientation and amnesia. These symptoms, along with the tinnitus, disappeared by the following day. Seven days after the initial angiography, a second angiography was performed that revealed the complete disappearance of the DAVF. Previous reports have described a long period of closure for DAVFs following initial diagnosis. Possible mechanisms for spontaneous closure of DAVFs include the development of scar tissue or a sinus thrombosis that leads to occlusion of the DAVF In this case, the DAVF closure may have been due to a sinus thrombosis induced by sinus stenosis, since occlusion of the draining sinuses coincided with the spontaneous closure of the DAVF. In cases of non-traumatic DAVF without cortical venous reflex that do not present severe symptoms, a prudent course of treatment is necessary since there is a chance of spontaneous closure of the DAVF occuring.     

Efficacy and Limitations of Transarterial Acrylic Glue Embolization for Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

The efficacy and limitations of transarterial acrylic glue embolization for the treatment of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) were investigated. Thirty-four DAVFs treated by transarterial embolization using n-butyl cyanoacrylate were retrospectively reviewed. The locations of DAVFs were the transverse-sigmoid sinus in 11, tentorium in 10, cranial vault in 9, and superior sagittal sinus, jugular bulb, foramen magnum, and middle cranial fossa in 1 each. Borden classification was type I in 7, type II in 3, and type III in 24. Eight patients had undergone prior transvenous coil embolization. Complete obliteration rate was 56% immediately after embolization, 71% at follow-up angiography, and 85% after additional treatments (1 transvenous embolization and 4 direct surgery). Complications occurred in three patients, consisting of asymptomatic vessel perforations during cannulation in two patients and leakage of contrast medium resulting in medullary infarction in one patient. Transarterial glue embolization is highly effective for Borden type III DAVF with direct cortical venous drainage, but has limitations for Borden type I and II DAVFs in which the affected sinus is part of the normal venous circulation. Onyx is a new liquid embolic material and is becoming the treatment of choice for DAVF. The benefits of glue embolization compared to Onyx embolization are high thrombogenicity, and relatively low risks of cranial nerve palsies and of excessive migration into the draining veins of high flow fistula. Transarterial glue embolization continues to be useful for selected patients, and complete cure can be expected in most patients with fewer complications if combined with transvenous embolization or direct surgery.