Coil embolization of vertebro-vertebral arteriovenous fistula: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Vertebro-vertebral arteriovenous fistulas (VVFs) are not uncommon, but they usually present with benign symptoms such as neck murmur. We report a case of VVF presenting with myelopathy which was successfully treated by embolization with detachable coils.


METHODS
A 72-year-old woman was admitted with complaint of bilateral leg weakness. Cervical magnetic resonance image showed compression of the spinal cord by a large vascular lesion. Right vertebral angiogram showed a vertebro-vertebral fistula draining into ectatic epidural veins. From a transfemoral arterial approach, the fistula site was selected with a microcatheter, and embolization was performed by placement of several Guglielmi detachable coils until flow arrest was obtained. The patient made a full recovery, and long-term angiographic follow-up demonstrated complete cure.


CONCLUSIONS
We present a case of VVF treated using detachable coils with good long-term results.
Tenjin
Hiroshi
H
Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto Prefectural Yosanoumi Hospital, Kitashirakawa, Sakyoku, Kyoto 606-8264, Japan. htenjin@nn.iij4u.or.jp
Kimura
Satoshi
S
Sugawa
Noriaki
N
D000368:Aged; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000592:standards; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000592:standards; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014680:Veins / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*