MRI/myelographic localization of fistulous tract in spinal dural arteriovenous malformations prior to arteriography.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to use currently available imaging methods to localize the fistulous tract of spinal dural arteriovenous malformations (SDAVMs) prior to arteriography.


METHODS
Two middle-aged men showed MR findings indicative of a SDAVM. In the first patient coronal T2-weighted (T2W) imaging identified the engorged draining radiculospinal vein and traced it back to the intervertebral foramen site where the "nidus" was located. Then, axial T2W imaging was performed at the level of the involved intervertebral foramen. In the second patient MRI failed to demonstrate the nidus; myelography was carried out and showed the course of the abnormal intraspinal vein.


RESULTS
Successful MR/myelographic demonstration of the nidus (Case 1) or the abnormal intraspinal vein (Case 2) simplified and abbreviated the later studies.


CONCLUSIONS
With MRI and/or myelography we were able to localize the site of the fistulous tract in the two cases of SDAVM prior to spinal arteriography.
Department of Radiology, Taiwan.
C J
CJ
Chen
L S
LS
Ro
W C
WC
Cheng
S T
ST
Chen
D000792:Angiography; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology