Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Mimicking a Brainstem Glioma

Abstract

Background: Brainstem intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas are extremely rare and can mimic a glioma at the time of presentation.

Case: We report a patient with an infiltrating brainstem lesion that finally revealed an intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula, with full neurological improvement after embolization.

Conclusion: A careful radiological study looking for dilated vessels around the brainstem is necessary in the workup of an infiltrating brainstem lesion, in order to rule out intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula.

Keywords: Brainstem tumor; dural arteriovenous fistula; glioma.