Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Section 1 Brain, head, and neck
- Section 2 Spine
- Case 19 Variants of the upper cervical spine
- Case 20 Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation versus head rotation
- Case 21 Cervical flexion and extension radiographs after blunt trauma
- Case 22 Pseudosubluxation of C2–C3
- Case 23 Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli
- Case 24 Motion artifact simulating spinal fracture
- Case 25 Pars interarticularis defects
- Case 26 Limbus vertebra
- Case 27 Transitional vertebrae
- Case 28 Subtle injuries in ankylotic spine disorders
- Case 29 Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula
- Section 3 Thorax
- Section 4 Cardiovascular
- Section 5 Abdomen
- Section 6 Pelvis
- Section 7 Musculoskeletal
- Section 8 Pediatrics
- Index
- References
Case 29 - Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula
from Section 2 - Spine
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 March 2013
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of contributors
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Section 1 Brain, head, and neck
- Section 2 Spine
- Case 19 Variants of the upper cervical spine
- Case 20 Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation versus head rotation
- Case 21 Cervical flexion and extension radiographs after blunt trauma
- Case 22 Pseudosubluxation of C2–C3
- Case 23 Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli
- Case 24 Motion artifact simulating spinal fracture
- Case 25 Pars interarticularis defects
- Case 26 Limbus vertebra
- Case 27 Transitional vertebrae
- Case 28 Subtle injuries in ankylotic spine disorders
- Case 29 Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula
- Section 3 Thorax
- Section 4 Cardiovascular
- Section 5 Abdomen
- Section 6 Pelvis
- Section 7 Musculoskeletal
- Section 8 Pediatrics
- Index
- References
Summary
Imaging description
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is the most common spinal vascular malformation. It is an intradural-extramedullary lesion commonly found in the distal cord or at the conus medullaris and is composed largely of distended intradural draining veins. MRI typically shows a distal spinal cord which is enlarged and edematous due to venous congestion, with corresponding hypointensity on T1- and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. In the setting of venous hypertensive myelopathy, the cord edema can spare the periphery and the central edema can be “flame shaped” at its superior and inferior margins; these findings typically are best appreciated on T2 series (Figure 29.1). Close inspection will often show multiple abnormal vessel flow voids on the pial surface of the cord.
When a spinal DAVF is suspected on MRI, thoracic spine MRI or MR angiography (MRA) can be considered as the next diagnostic modality for evaluation of the extent of spinal involvement [1]. However, catheter angiography should be considered in all cases as this will confirm the diagnosis and help identify the exact level of the vascular shunt to plan for endovascular embolic therapy [2].
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Pearls and Pitfalls in Emergency RadiologyVariants and Other Difficult Diagnoses, pp. 98 - 100Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2013