Dural arteriovenous malformations are rare, accounting for 10-15% of all intracranial arteriovenous malformation and are thought to be acquired lesion caused by dural sinus thrombosis. The authors report a rare case of extrasinusal dural arteriovenous fistula in the right middle fossa adjacent to the superior orbital fissure. During the preceding 17 years, this 31-year-old female had complained of proptosis and ocular pain in the right eye. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a retrobular intraconal mass in the right orbit; Angiography revealed an extrasinusal dural arteriovenous fistula in the right middle fossa adjacent to the superior orbital fissure, which drains into the superior ophthalmic and inferior temporal vein. After embolization of the fistula by injection of N-butylcyanoacrylate(NBCA), we intended to remove the retrobulbar intraconal mass seen on CT and MRI by means of a unilateral partial orbitotomy on the supraorbital rim and orbital roof, and to this end, explored the right orbit. We were unable, however, to locate any mass lesion in the orbital cavity, and postoperative CT and MRI showed no such lesion. We were of the opinion that the mass shown on preoperative CT and MRI was a dilated intraorbital vein structure which disappeared after embolization, operative ligation and cutting of the dural arterivenous fistula. Finally, proptosis and ocular pain disappeared, and the patient recovered with any no neurologic deficit.
Adult ; Angiography ; Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations ; Exophthalmos ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations ; Ligation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Orbit ; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial ; Veins

PURPOSE: To evaluate the MR findings of dural arteriovenous fistula(DAVF) in the cavernous sinus and to determine the most useful imaging method for the diagnosis of DAVF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the MR findings of 12 patients in whom DAVF was diagnosed in the cavernous sinus on the basis of angiographic findings. Axial T1- and T2-weighted, and axial and coronal Gd-enhanced T1-weighted images with 3-6mm slice thickness had been obtained, and the findings of DAVF on three pulse sequences were examined and compared. On the basis of the detection of DAVF on three pulse sequences, the MR findings were graded as excellent, fair or poor, and the location of DAVF in the cavernous sinus was analysed. We also classified DAVFs as group A or B on the basis of MR findings (group A: lesions in the cavernous sinus were as large as or larger than the cavernous internal carotid artery; group B: these were smaller than the cavernous internal carotid artery) and compared with cognard type on angiogram. RESULTS: Multiple tortuous signal voids were found in all DAVFs. The signal voids were located mainly in the middle and posterior one third of the cavernous sinus, as seen on axial images, and the middle and inferior one third, as seen on coronal images. Axial and coronal enhanced T1-weighted images showed an excellent grade in 11 of 12 cases and a fair grade in 1 of 12. Axial T2-weighted images showed an excellent grade in 6 of 12 cases and a fair grade in 4 of 12. T1-weighted images showed an excellent grade in 4 of 12 cases and a fair grade in 6 of 12. Six cases were group A, and 5 of the 6 were Cognard type IIa or IIb; The other 6 cases were group B, 5 of the 6 were Cognard type I. CONCLUSION: MR findings of multiple tortuous signal voids in the cavernous sinus, especially in the posterior or inferior portion, suggest DAVF, and enhanced T1-weighted imaging could be the most useful sequence for its diagnosis.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cavernous Sinus* ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Diagnosis ; Humans

Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is an uncommon condition. However, it is important for otologists because it is the most common cause of pulsatile tinnitus and may also present with intracranial hemorrhage and neurological disturbance. Many therapeutic approaches, such as surgery and endovascular techniques, have been proposed to obliterate the lesions. Surgery may be accompanied by massive blood loss. Transarterial embolization seldom obliterates transverse-sigmoid sinus DAVFs completely and permanently. In recent years, several authors have reported the effect of transvenous embolization of transverse-sigmoid sinus DAVFs in English literature. We recently experienced a case of sigmoid DAVF treated by transvenous embolization and report it with a review of the literature.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Endovascular Procedures ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Tinnitus

The approach to ethmoidal dural arteriovenous fistulas (eDAVFs) is usually via a pterional or a frontal craniotomy. However, the transfrontal sinus is a more direct route to the fistula. The aim of this report is to describe our experience and associated complications occurring as a result of flow diversion in the transfrontal sinus approach for eDAVFs. In this report, we discuss visual field defects occurring after a transfrontal sinus operation. This approach is most direct for surgical treatment of an eDAVF, enabling preservation of neural structures with minimal to no negative effects on the brain. Although the surgery was uneventful, the patient presented with a left side visual field defect. An ophthalmologic exam detected an arterial filling delay in the choroidal membrane and ischemic optic neuropathy was highly suspected. The patient is currently recovering under close observation with no special treatment. The transfrontal sinus approach provides the most direct and shortest route for eDAVFs, while minimizing intraoperative bleeding. However, complications, such as visual field defects may result from a sudden flow diversion or eyeball compression due to scalp traction.
Brain ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Choroid ; Craniotomy ; Fistula ; Frontal Sinus ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations ; Membranes ; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic ; Scalp ; Traction ; Visual Fields*

Stereotactic radiosurgery is an effective and widely used surgical procedure for the management of cerebral vascular malformations. Long-term analysis of results has led to an evolution in technique and patient selection, a better understanding of the safe and effective dose reponse, and of the risks to surrounding normal tissue. Radiosurgery is a minimally invasive technique but is not risk-free. Successful AVM obliteration depends on proper stereotactic nidus definition and delivery of an adequate radiosurgery dose.
Arteriovenous Malformations ; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Patient Selection ; Radiosurgery* ; Vascular Malformations

OBJECTIVES: Vascular tinnitus is the most common form of pulsatile tinnitus, particularly when the tinnitus corresponds with the pulse of patients. In this study, we reviewed the 10-year clinical data on vascular tinnitus of our tinnitus clinic to investigate the frequency of the underlying etiologies, to introduce a diagnostic protocol, and to evaluate the treatment outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of 57 patients who were diagnosed as vascular tinnitus between April 2001 and December 2011. Careful history taking, otoscopy, thorough physical examinations, audiometry, laboratory tests, as well as radiologic examinations were performed according to our diagnostic protocol to find the origin of pulsatile tinnitus. Treatment options were individualized based on the specific etiology, and the outcomes were assessed using patient's subjective reports at the follow-up interviews. RESULTS: High jugular bulb was the most common cause (47.4%) of vascular tinnitus, and venous hum was the next (17.5%). Dural arteriovenous fistula, intracranial aneurysm, atherosclerotic carotid artery disease, and hypertension were less common causes. Vascular tinnitus was alleviated in most patients after the appropriate treatment: surgical intervention, tinnitus retraining therapy, reassurance, and medications. CONCLUSION: Vascular tinnitus can be successfully diagnosed by the regular use of the suggested protocol. Many patients with vascular tinnitus have treatable underlying etiologies. Treatment of those etiologies or at least counseling about the tinnitus itself can benefit the patients with troublesome vascular tinnitus.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Audiometry ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations ; Counseling ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Otoscopy ; Physical Examination ; Retrospective Studies ; Tinnitus*

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula is known to possibly complicate lumbar disc surgery. Delayed development of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula also has been reported as a rare complication after lumbar surgery. We report a case of postsurgically developed spinal dural/epidural arteriovenous fistula treated with n-butyl cyanoacrylate.
Arteriovenous Fistula* ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations ; Cyanoacrylates ; Spine

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) are the most common type of spinal vascular malformations. However, SDAVFs are still underdiagnosed entities because their clinical symptoms are usually non-specific, as they include low back pain or radiating pain to the limb. There have been several reports of acute paraplegia after lumbar epidural steroid injections in patients with SDAVFs. We present 4 patients with SDAVFs who received lumbar steroid injection. Among the 4 cases, acute paraplegia developed in 2 cases that received a larger volume of injectate than the other cases. Thus, we are suggesting that the volume of injectate may be a contributing factor for acute paraplegia after lumbar steroid injection in patients with SDAVFs.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Extremities ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Paraplegia* ; Spine ; Steroids ; Vascular Malformations

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of middle meningeal artery (MMA) and medial sphenoid wing dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) are rare. These lesions usually result from traumatic brain injury, and associated with skull fracture. In this paper, the authors report a case of a patient with a ruptured traumatic pseudoaneurysm of MMA and medial sphenoid wing dAVF presented with an intracerebral hemorrhage in the left temporal region and subarachnoid hemorrhage. These lesions were completely obliterated by endovascular treatment, and the patient was recovered without any neurologic deficit. However, 18-day after the procedure, delayed neurologic deficits were developed due to cerebral vasospasm.
Aneurysm, False* ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Brain Injuries ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Meningeal Arteries* ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Skull Fractures ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Traumatic ; Temporal Lobe ; Vasospasm, Intracranial

PURPOSE: To describe the magnetic resonance (MR) findings of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF) and associated venous hypertensive diseases, and to determine their diagnostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR Imagings of twelve cases of angiographically-proven intracranial DAVF were analyzed. The presence of signal voids, dilatation of involved dural sinus, the dilatation of the extra/intradural venous system, high signal intensity on T2 weighted image, cerebral edema, intracranial hemorrhage, and hydrocephalus were retrospectively analyzed. MR findings and angiographic classification were compared. RESULTS: In 11 of 12 patients (92%), MR revealed the location of DAVF. In five cases, these were cavernous, and in six, they were extracavernous; the locations of the latter were as follows: superior sagittal sinus (SSS), 4: torcula, 1; lateral sinus & SSS, 1. Except for the lateral sinus lesion, all the DAVF seen in thses 11 patients showed the presence of signal voids and dilatation of the involved dural sinus. Findings of associated venous hypertensive disease, namely dilatation of the superior ophthalmic vein and cortical venous system, cerebral edema, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images were observed in three cavernous lesions (50%), but all extracavernous DAVF (100%) showed associated venous hypertensive disease. When the grade of angiographic classification was high and reflux of sinus blood to the cortical vein was seen on angiography, the MR findings of intracranial venous hypertension showed good correlation. CONCLUSION: The MR findings of DAVF include dilatation of the dural sinus and signal voids of feeding arteries and draining vein. Other findings which suggest intracranial venohypertensive disease are dilatation of the cortical and medullary vein, hydrocephallus, cerebral edema and intracranial hamorrhage. These and the angiographic findings correlate well and suggest that in the diagnosis of DAVF and the detection of intracanial venohypertension, MR is a non-invasivse technique which can be use be usefully employed before final diagnosis by angiography.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Brain Edema ; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations* ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Superior Sagittal Sinus ; Transverse Sinuses ; Veins