title: Reversible brainstem dysfunction from spinal arterio-venous fistula.
abstract: A 45-year-old man presented with subacute onset of ataxia, diplopia, urinary retention and paraparesis. MR scan of brain showed abnormal T2 hyperintense signal within the cervical cord, medulla and lower pons and vascular appearances suggesting an arterio-venous fistula. The fistula was surgically explored and successfully disconnected with good clinical outcome. Brainstem or cervical dural arterio-venous fistulae more typically present as a myelopathy; only a handful of cases have presented with brainstem dysfunction. This is a rare but reversible cause of subacute brainstem dysfunction.
authors: Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Willis
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Amato-Watkins
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Zaben
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Baig
authors: Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Corkill
authors: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Joshi
mesh_terms: D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000098:blood supply*; D020785:Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply
keywords: Cerebrovascular Disease; Clinical Neurology