title: Lumbar spinal dural arteriovenous fistula presenting with brainstem symptomatology: A case report.
abstract: This report is about a rare case of a lumbar spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) with distant brainstem symptoms of vertigo and ataxia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a high signal abnormality in the lower pons, medulla, and cervico-medullary junction, presumably related to venous hypertension. Spinal MRI revealed markedly dilated veins along the dorsal aspect of the cord, while spinal angiography confirmed the presence of a lumbar spinal DAVF. Because lumbar DAVF may cause remote brainstem symptoms, spinal DAVF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of high signal MRI abnormalities localized in the brainstem. Properly extending the scanning range is essential in the diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Department of Diagnostic Radiology, E-Da Hospital and I-Shou University, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: S-L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: H-W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tsui
authors.forename: Y-C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: C-J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001259:Ataxia / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000098:blood supply; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000098:blood supply; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D014717:Vertigo / Q000209:etiology