Vertebral epidural arteriovenous fistula and radicular pain in neurofibromatosis type I

Abstract

A minor trauma caused opening of an arteriovenous fistula between the right vertebral artery and cervical spinal epidural venous plexus in a patient with neurofibromatosis Type I. Subsequent dilation of the plexus caused compression of the spinal cord and radicular symptomology of the right upper extremity. The single-hole fistula and its arterial feeder were filled with electrodetachable coils via an intra-arterial approach. This lead into shrinkage of the plexus, reformation of the cord caliber and full and stable clinical recovery. The achieved endovascular occlusion of the fistula proved to be permanent on follow-up.