title: Endovascular management of spinal vascular malformations: history and literature review.
abstract: Spinal vascular malformations represent a complex group of entities whose treatment paradigm continually evolves. Given the ever-increasing role of endovascular therapy, it is the goal of the authors to review the current literature regarding this therapeutic tool and to provide recommendations guiding management. A thorough literature search was conducted using Medline, with subsequent articles being identified through cross-referencing. The analysis revealed that, since its introduction in the 1960s, endovascular therapy has been used to manage the entire spectrum of spinal vascular malformations, during which period it has undergone considerable technological and technical evolution. As such, embolization has proved of growing therapeutic utility, largely resulting from the mounting evidence supporting its safety and efficacy, in addition to the inherent minimally invasive nature. This alternative to surgical intervention will be increasingly used as first-line therapy in spinal vascular malformations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Ricky
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medel
authors.forename: R Webster
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: Aaron S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dumont
mesh_terms: D020785:Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000266:history / Q000628:therapy*; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D054079:Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000266:history / Q000628:therapy*