Endovascular treatment of high-risk tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulas: clinical outcomes

Introduction  An increasing number of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are amenable to endovascular treatment with Onyx-18. We reviewed our experience with the endovascular management of tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulas (TDAVFs) treated transarterially and transvenously. Materials and methods  Clinical records for 19 consecutive patients (three women, 16 men) with TDAVFs treated endovascularly between 2005 and 2008 were reviewed to determine their presenting symptoms, angiographic features, endovascular treatments, and clinical outcomes. Most patients (78.9%) presented with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). All patients had high-risk angiographic features such as leptomeningeal venous varix. Results  Transarterial embolization was performed in 19 patients. Transvenous embolization was additionally performed in two patients and caused one death. At the time of the last follow-up evaluation, 16 (84.2%) patients had good or excellent outcomes (modified Rankin score, 0 or 1) and one (5.3%) was deceased. Six patients had a residual fistula and were treated with gamma knife radiosurgery. The overall morbidity and mortality rate was 10.5%. Conclusion  High-risk TDAVFs can be successfully managed with good outcomes. When anatomic features can be accessed endovascularly, endovascular treatment is indicated. Patients with residual filling of the DAVF should be considered for adjuvant therapy, including further radiosurgery.     

Tentorial artery embolization in tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulas

Introduction The tentorial artery is often involved in arterial supply to tentorial dural fistulas. The hypertrophied tentorial artery is accessible to embolization, either with glue or with particles.Methods Six patients are presented with tentorial dural fistulas, mainly supplied by the tentorial artery. Two patients presented with intracranial hemorrhage, two with pulsatile tinnitus and one with progressive tetraparesis, and in one patient the tentorial dural fistula was an incidental finding. Different endovascular techniques were used to embolize the tentorial artery in the process of endovascular occlusion of the fistulas.Results All six tentorial dural fistulas were completely occluded by endovascular techniques, confirmed at follow-up angiography. There were no complications. When direct catheterization of the tentorial artery was possible, glue injection with temporary balloon occlusion of the internal carotid artery at the level of the tentorial artery origin was effective and safe.Conclusion Different endovascular techniques may be successfully applied to embolize the tentorial artery in the treatment of tentorial dural fistulas.     

Tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulae: endovascular treatment with transvenous coil embolisation

Tentorial arteriovenous dural fistulae are uncommon. They are aggressive lesions: of all intracranial dural fistulae they are the most likely to present with haemorrhage. Treatment options include surgical excision or interruption of leptomeningeal draining veins and arterial embolisation in isolation or in combination with surgery. There has been one case report of treatment by percutaneous transvenous coil embolisation. We describe successful transvenous coil embolisation of two tentorial dural fistulae presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage. Received: 14 September 1998 Accepted: 6 October 1998     

CT scan of dural arteriovenous fistulas

Summary CT was performed on ten cases of dural intracranial arteriovenous fistulas. There were 3 fistulas of the transverse sinus draining directly into the homolateral jugular vein; 2 fistulas of the sinus with distal occlusion of the sinus and back flow into the cortical veins (one was on the transverse sinus, the other on the sagittal sinus); 2 fistulas of the middle fossa; 3 fistulas with direct venous drainage into the cortical veins, one of these forming a tumor process in the posterior fossa. Osseous abnormalities were seen in only one case. Cerebral CT abnormalities, such as patchy or vermicular enhancement, were seen in all the cases with fistulas draining into the cerebral veins. Cerebral CT was normal in cases of fistulas of the sinus without back flow into the cerebral veins.     

经眼上静脉介入治疗海绵窦区硬脑膜动静脉瘘

目的 探讨眶上内侧缘切开穿刺眼上静脉介入栓塞海绵窦区硬脑膜动静脉瘘(AVF)的方法和疗效.方法 眶上内侧缘切开穿刺眼上静脉使用微弹簧圈介入栓塞海绵窦区硬脑膜AVF 16例.结果 所有患者均临床治愈,1例虽将海绵窦致密填塞,但仍有少量翼丛引流,压颈1个月后消失.栓塞术后并发症主要表现为头痛和呕吐.2例术后出现轻度复视,后自行恢复,无一例出现永久性介入相关并发症.临床随访5个月到6年,患者均无临床症状复发.结论 眶上内侧缘切开穿刺眼上静脉入路介入栓塞是海绵窦区硬脑膜动静瘘治疗安全有效的方法 之一.     

硬脑膜动静脉瘘的治疗

目的　探讨不同方法治疗不同类型的硬脑膜动静脉瘘 (DAVF)的疗效。方法　采用经动脉入路在供血动脉内采用低浓度NBCA胶、弹簧圈、游离纤毛钢圈、PVA等栓塞治疗 ;经静脉入路在瘘口静脉端用弹簧圈栓塞 ,或直接开颅手术夹闭瘘口、静脉窦表面颅骨钻孔后直接穿刺作静脉窦内栓塞及静脉内支架植入等方法治疗不同部位和不同类型的DAVF 32例。结果　 8例前颅凹底DAVF ,5例经动脉入路栓塞治疗 ,2例治愈 ,3例临床好转 ;3例 (1例经静脉入路治疗失败后 )前颅凹底入路行开颅瘘口直接夹闭治愈。 14例海绵窦区DAVF ,7例经眼上静脉入路海绵窦内栓塞治愈 ,4例经动脉入路 ,治愈 1例 ,好转 3例。 5例横窦区DAVF ,2例经静脉入路窦内栓塞治愈 ,2例动脉入路栓塞后好转 ,1例行窦孤立手术治愈。 4例多处瘘口的上矢状窦DAVF ,联合多种治疗方法经多次治疗 ,临床好转。 1例左侧颈静脉孔区DAVF联合多种治疗方法经多次治疗治愈。结论　前颅凹底DAVF以直接手术行瘘口夹闭疗效好 ,经动脉入路低浓度胶栓塞可治愈但需注意危险吻合 ;海绵窦区DAVF经静脉入路栓塞多可治愈。横窦区DAVF静脉入路栓塞瘘口静脉端效果好 ;复杂性DAVF治疗困难 ,目前联合多种治疗方法可以达到临床改善。将治疗策略定在针对瘘口的静脉端 ,可望达到临床治愈。     

A dural arteriovenous fistula fed entirely by the lateral sacral artery

We report a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula fed exclusively by the lateral sacral artery to remind neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons that the afferent artery of these lesions may arise from internal iliac arterial branches.     

Endovascular embolization for managing a massive shoulder arteriovenous malformation

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are congenital high flow pathologic linkages between arteries and veins of different sizes that may occur in any part of the body. The clinical presentation is largely dependent on the size and location of AVMs and can range from an asymptomatic birthmark to congestive heart failure in extreme cases. In this report, we describe a 20-year-old male who presented with a large AVM of the right shoulder that resulted in significant cosmetic and physical impairment and treated with several sessions of endovascular embolization with good clinical outcomes. This case highlights the complexity of diagnosing and managing these AVMs. Most of these anomalies require a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates both trans-catheter and surgical interventions with trans-arterial lesion embolization being the cornerstone of the treatment.     

Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas of the vertebral artery

Summary Arteriovenous fistulas of the vertebral artery are uncommon. Trauma, arterial erosion by abscess and congenital weakness of the arterial wall are the most frequent cause of these fistulas. Few of them have been reported following percutaneous puncture of the vertebral artery. Two such cases, as well as an exceptionnel false traumatic aneurysm of the V₄ segment of the vertebral artery in front of a fracture of the occipital bone, are described here. The latter patient also has a malformation of the craniovertebral joint.     

Association of distinct intracranial pial and dural arteriovenous shunts

Intracranial pial and dural arteriovenous shunts may exist at different sites in the same patient. The etiology, natural history and treatment of these associated conditions have not been completely determined. We reviewed the records of 765 cases of pial arteriovenous malformation and 137 dural arteriovenous fistulae and malformations. We selected eight patients with both pial and dural arteriovenous shunts, separate anatomically, with distinct feeding arteries and draining veins, representing 1 % of pial and 17 % of dural shunts. Presentation was related to the dural lesion in 5 cases (62.5 %) and to the pial malformation in three (37.5 %). Treatment of these lesions should be considered separately based on their angioarchitecture and natural history. Received: 9 January 2001/Accepted: 10 January 2001     

Rupture of a cervical spinal cord arteriovenous malformation: a rare complication of endovascular embolization

Patients suffering from a cervical spinal cord arteriovenous malformation (SCAVM) run high risk of devastating subarachnoid hemorrhage and hematomyelia. Therefore, cervical SCAVMs represent a compelling indication for surgical or endovascular therapy. The authors report on an acute life-threatening subarachnoid hemorrhage from a cervical SCAVM that ruptured during an embolization procedure. Causality and therapeutic management are discussed. Received: 2 December 1997; Revision received: 6 July 1998; Accepted: 25 July 1998     

Transarterial balloon-assisted glue embolization of high-flow arteriovenous fistulas

Introduction We report here our experience in treating high-flow arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) of the brain and spine using balloon-assisted glue injection. Methods During a 3-year period (2003–2005) five patients with high-flow AVFs were treated at our hospital using transarterial balloon-assisted glue injection. There were two pial AVFs, one dural AVF, one vein of Galen malformation and one perimedullary AVF of the cervical spine. All patients were clinically followed-up for 12–48 months. Results Immediate angiographic obliteration was achieved in all patients. The fistulas remained closed in all patients, as ascertained by follow up-angiograms. No new neurological deficits related to the procedure were detected. Clinically, one patient with severe pre-treatment neurological deficit experienced excellent recovery. Conclusion Transarterial balloon-assisted glue embolization of high-flow AVFs is a feasible and efficient treatment. This technique affords more control in the glue injection and minimizes the risk of distal embolization.     

Scrotal arteriovenous malformation and its preoperative embolization

Arteriovenous malformations of the scrotum are extremely rare. A case of scrotal arteriovenous malformation and its preoperative embolization in a child is presented. Received: 13 January 1998; Revision received: 30 April 1998; Accepted: 27 May 1998     

Treatment of mandibular arteriovenous malformations by direct transosseous puncture: Report of two cases

Mandibular arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a potentially life-threatening pathology requiring radical treatment. We report two female patients, aged 14 and 16 years, in whom occlusion of the AVM with Ethibloc after percutaneous transosseous puncture achieved definitive recovery. The first case was treated by direct injection of Ethibloc following inefficient arterial embolization with Ivalon particles. In the second case, Ethibloc was injected without previous arterial embolization. Control examinations performed at 6 months and 2 years confirmed complete calcification of the mandible in the first case and a total obliteration of the AVM on angiography in the second case.     

先天性肾动静脉畸形的栓塞治疗

目的评价经导管动脉栓塞治疗先天性肾动静脉畸形的价值。方法回顾性分析7例以肉眼血尿为主要症状的先天性肾动静脉畸形,选择性肾动脉造影确诊为肾动静脉畸形后,超选择性病变动脉插管,用明胶海绵、无水乙醇、弹簧钢圈等对病变血管进行栓塞治疗。结果所有7例先天性肾动静脉畸形都成功栓塞,栓塞24h内7例肉眼血尿消失,术后1周内可有栓塞侧腰部酸痛、低热、腹胀、恶心、呕吐等症状,但无严重并发症。随访36～98个月无血尿复发,肾功能正常。结论经导管肾动脉造影能明确诊断,动脉栓塞安全有效,对先天性肾动静脉畸形的治疗有重要意义。     

Embolization of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas with Onyx-18

Background and purpose

The use of Onyx in the treatment of AVMs has been reported in the literature, but experience in the treatment of DAVF is lacking. We report the clinical outcome obtained in the treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) using a new liquid embolic agent, Onyx-18.

Methods

The present series included 21 patients; 9 had DAVFs draining directly into the cortical veins, 6 had DAVFs draining directly into the dural sinus, 4 had DAVFs draining through the ophthalmic veins and 2 had DAVFs involving the dural sinus with leptomeningeal retrograde venous drainage Clinical data were extracted from hospital files and all patients were followed.

Results

In 14 patients (70%) there was complete angiographic elimination of the shunts and resolution of the symptoms. The remaining 7(30%) patients was not cured with residual shunts. Adverse events occurred in 6(30%) of 21 patients with 1 DAVF located at the transverse sigmoid sinus, 2 at tentorium, and 3 at the cavernous sinus. Cranial deficits occurred in 3(15%) patients, brain infarction in 1(5%) patient and microcatheter gluing in 1(3.2%) patient. At final follow up, 20 patients were asymptomatic with 1 showed clinical improvement.

Conclusion

Definitive cure may be attained effectively with Onyx in dural arteriovenous fistulas and adjunctive to surgery and radiotherapy. Location of the DAVFs affected the outcome of transarterial embolization.     

Embolization of intracranial arteriovenous malformations and fistulas with polyvinyl alcohol particles and platinum fibre coils

Summary In order to reduce the recanalization rate of arteriovenous malformations and multiple dural arteriovenous fistulas, embolization was carried out with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles combined with platinum fibre coils in 20 patients. The malformation was occluded more effectively than by PVA alone. Distal deposition of the emboli was obtained by improved steerable catheters (Tracker-18-unibody) and guidewires. The complication rate was lower than usually reported from studies using glue as embolic agent. It was concluded that the combination of PVA and fibre coils enhances the safety and effectiveness of embolization therapy and reduces the frequency of recanalization of intracranial AVMs.     

Curative embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with Onyx in 101 patients

INTRODUCTION: Onyx has emerged in the recent years as a new embolic material. We present our experience with Onyx in the curative embolization of brain cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the files of all patients that we had treated with Onyx embolic material for a brain AVM during the last 4 years. We identified 101 patients who underwent a total of 219 sessions of embolization. RESULTS: The treatment has been concluded in 52 patients; in this group, total occlusion was obtained in 28 (53.9%) patients and near-total occlusion was obtained in 18 (34.6%). The respective figures based on the 101 patients of the study cohort are 28/101 (27.7%) and 18/101 (17.8%). More embolization sessions are to be carried out on the remaining 49 patients. There were three deaths, and eight patients had permanent neurological deficits with a resulting morbidity of 8% and mortality of 3%. CONCLUSION: High rates of total or near-total occlusion of brain AVMs can be achieved with multiple sessions of Onyx embolization with acceptable morbidity and mortality.     

Embolization of a bleeding maxillary arteriovenous malformation via the superficial temporal artery after external carotid artery ligation.

We report a new approach of embolization in a 15-year-old boy that presented with a massive hemorrhage from a maxillary arteriovenous malformation. Re-bleeding occurred after emergent ligation of the external carotid artery. The bleeding was successfully controlled by embolization via the superficial temporal artery.     

Medial tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula: A rare cause of bithalamic oedema

A 39-year-old man was admitted after 1 week of headaches and cognitive changes. CT scan showed bithalamic hypodensities, corresponding to bithalamic vasogenic oedema. Punctuate hemorrhage was present, with foci of thalamic enhancement. CT angiography raised the suspicion of arteriovenous shunt. Digital subtraction angiography confirmed a medial falcotentorial dural arteriovenous fistula. Complete embolization was performed using liquid embolic agent. Although tentorial dural fistulas have already been described as a cause of bithalamic oedema and subacute dementia, they are not generally included in pathologies implied in this radiologic pattern.