Spinal dural arterio-venous fistula

Case contributed by Chris O'Donnell
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Progressive back and lower limb pain with dysesthesia of the thighs.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male

Swollen, edematous conus associated with multiple serpentine intra-thecal filling defects showing flow voids.  Note following contrast injection there is patchy enhancement of the conus (arrow).

Case Discussion

These dural AVF are usually spontaneous and incidentally found on MRI of the spine for back pain or lower limb neurological symptoms.  They cause symptoms from venous congestion of the cord parenchyma due to the arterialization of dural veins draining the spinal cord.

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