Intracranial dural A-V fistulae

Abstract

Dural Arteriovenous Malformations (DAVFs) are rare vascular malformations involving the dura and cerebral veins. They occur in a variety of locations but in general the cavernous sinus lesion is more frequent among Asian patients while the transverse sinus is more usual among western patients. Treatments include microsurgery, endovascular embolization and GKNS. The dangerous concomitant of DAVFs is retrograde flow into the cerebral veins (CVR). Patients with CVR are at risk for bleeding, neurological deficit and in some cases death. They require treatment with the aim of occluding the fistula. Patients without CVR may or may not require therapy, depending on the severity of the symptoms associated with the fistula. These patients require reduction of symptoms more than occlusion. GKNS may often be associated with embolization.

Keywords: Cerebral venous reflux; Dural arteriovenous malformation; Embolization; Hemorrhage; Non-hemorrhagic neurological deficit; Raised intracranial pressure.