title: The use of magnetic resonance imaging in predicting the clinical outcome of spinal arteriovenous fistula.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to screen and follow-up spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (SDAVF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between MRI findings and neurologic function in SDAVF. This study also investigated clinical features and treatment results of SDAVF.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 15 consecutive patients who underwent embolization or surgery for SDAVF were included. We treated seven (60%) patients with embolization and six (40%) with surgery. We analysed clinical features, MRI findings, treatment results, and neurologic function. Neurologic function was measured by the Aminoff-Logue disability scale (ALS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with longer levels of intramedullary high signal intensity in preoperative T2-weighted images (T2WI) exhibited worse pre- and postoperative ALS scores (r=0.557, p=0.031; r=0.530, p=0.042, Pearson correlation). Preoperative ALS score was significantly correlated with postoperative ALS score (r=0.908, p=0.000, Pearson correlation). The number of levels showing intramedullary high signal intensity in T2WI decreased significantly postoperatively (5.2±3.1 vs. 1.0±1.4, p=0.001, Wilcoxon ranked test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The number of involved levels of high signal intensity in preoperative T2WI is useful for predicting pre- and postoperative neurologic function in SDAVF.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.; Spine and Spinal Cord Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Dong Ah
authors: DA
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Keun Young
authors: KY
authors: Park
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.; Spine and Spinal Cord Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Gyu Yeul
authors: GY
authors: Ji
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Seong
authors: S
authors: Yi
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.; Spine and Spinal Cord Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Yoon
authors: Y
authors: Ha
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Kangwon National University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors: Seoung Woo
authors: SW
authors: Park
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.; Spine and Spinal Cord Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Do Heum
authors: DH
authors: Yoon
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.; Spine and Spinal Cord Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. knkim@yuhs.ac.
authors: Keung Nyun
authors: KN
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D020785:Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Spine; dural arteriovenous fistula; magnetic resonance imaging; neurologic manifestations