What is a dural fistula?
Dural arteriovenous fistulas are abnormal connections that form between an artery and a vein in the tough covering over the brain or spinal cord. Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are abnormal connections between an artery and a vein in the tough covering over the brain or spinal cord (dura mater).
Is a DAVF an AVM?
DAVFs differ from arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in that AVMs are found within the tissue of the brain or spinal cord, but DAVFs are found in the coverings of the brain or spinal cord, such as the dura mater or arachnoid.
How common is a brain fistula?
Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are rare, abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the lining of the brain (the dura). Doctors classify dAVFs as either low-risk or high-risk.
How is a dural fistula diagnosed?
MRIs can establish the shape and extent of a dAVF, detect any micro-hemorrhages (very small bleed locations), and determine the impact of any abnormal blood vessel structures related to the fistula itself. An MRI is administered to a person.
How rare is DAVF?
These fistulas are relatively rare. dAVFs and CCFs account for roughly 10%-15% of all intracranial malformations (the other malformations are AVMs and cavernous malformations).
How rare is dAVF?
How do they fix a brain fistula?
Treatment Options
- Microsurgery is the most appropriate treatment for a dural, brain, or spinal AVF, either alone or in combination with endovascular embolization.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery is appropriate if an AVF is located too close to important brain structures for us to safely perform embolization or microsurgery.
What is an aneurysm in a fistula?
Arteriovenous fistula aneurysms are defined by an expansion of the intimal, medial and adventitial layers of the vessel wall to a diameter of more than 18 mm. Treatment of arteriovenous fistula aneurysm is indicated if there is pain, risk of haemorrhage and flow disturbance (either low or high flow).
What are the imaging findings of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula?
In the appropriate clinical setting, high T2 signal of the spinal cord is the most sensitive imaging finding in spinal dural arteriovenous fistula. The presence of mass effect and enhancement should not discourage this diagnosis.
What is a dural arteriovenous fistula?
Dural arteriovenous fistula. Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVF) are a heterogeneous collection of conditions that share arteriovenous shunts from dural vessels. They present variably with hemorrhage or venous hypertension, and can be challenging to treat.
Is MRA assessment for dural AVF adequate for fistula?
Overall, MRA assessment for dural AVF was adequate for both fistula and venous flow-related enhancement in 10 cases (91%) and inadequate in a remaining case with contrast-enhanced MRA because of the fistular location out of field.
Does venous drainage pattern predict outcome in intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula?
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Venous drainage patterns are a major determinant of clinical outcome in intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) patients. In this study, we sought to identify MR imaging finding differences between DAVF types classified on the basis of venous drainage patterns.