J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1997 Nov;26(11):1592-1598.

Surgical Treatment of Arteriovenous Malformations of the Spinal Cord

• Chung SK
• Jeon SR
• Chung CK
• Kim HJ

Abstract

Spinal arteriovenous malformations(AVM's) may subject patients to the risk of paraplegia or quadriplegia. To determine the clinical features of patients with spinal AVM's, the authors reviewed the medical records of 26 such patients diagnosed and treated in our department, between 1986 and 1996. Among these, there were two cases of dural arteriovenous fistula(dural AVF), eight of perimedullary fistula, twelve of intramedullary AVM, and three of intramedullary cavernous angioma. In one case, the type of AVM was not identified. The most common presenting symptom was acute or slowly progressive myelopathy. The patients were treated with embolization, surgery, or both, and because of residual or recurrent disease, treatment was repeated in six cases, five of which were intramedullary AVM. All patients with dural AVF improved after treatment. Among patients with intradural AVM(perimeudllary AVF or intramedullary AVM), 25% were improved and 25% deteriorated : two of three patients with cavernous angiomas improved. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in the cases of AVM of the spinal cord are discussed. Since recurrence or residual arteriovenous shunting is a common problem in the treatment of this condition, follow-up observation of clinical and angiographic findings is mandatory.

Keyword

Spinal cord arteriovenous malformation; Embolization; Dural arteriovenous fistula; Perimedullary arteriovenous fistula; Intramedullary arteriovenous malformation; Cavernous angioma

MeSH Terms

Arteriovenous Malformations*
Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations
Fistula
Follow-Up Studies
Hemangioma, Cavernous
Humans
Medical Records
Paraplegia
Quadriplegia
Recurrence
Spinal Cord Diseases
Spinal Cord*