Percutaneous transvenous embolisation through the occluded sinus for transverse-sigmoid dural arteriovenous fistulas with sinus occlusion

We report six cases of transverse-sigmoid dural arteriovenous fistulae (TS DAVF) treated with percutaneous transvenous embolisation through the occluded sinus. All patients had sinus occlusive lesions: an isolated sinus in five cases and a distal occlusion of the affected sinus in one. Leptomeningeal retrograde venous drainage via the vein of Labbé or the sylvian vein was observed in all patients with an isolated sinus. In five patients a microcatheter was easily passed through the occluded sinus. In four of them, a complete angiographic cure was achieved by packing the sinus with coils. However, in one, sinus packing was ineffective and surgical excision of the affected sinus was necessary. The microcatheter could not be passed through the occluded sinus in one case, and direct packing of the isolated sinus was later required. In all cases, complete cure was achieved without complications. This safe, not very invasive and highly effective treatment for TS DAVF with sinus occlusion is thus worth trying when the occluded segment is relatively short. Received: 11 August 2000 Accepted: 21 August 2000