Acquired Spinal Arteriovenous Fistula Presenting as Brown-Séquard Syndrome and Endovascular Treatment Outcome

World Neurosurg. 2016 Dec:96:613.e1-613.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2016.08.107. Epub 2016 Sep 2.

Abstract

Background: Brown-Séquard syndrome is typically caused by penetrating trauma to the cervical spinal cord; however, other compressive and vascular occlusive etiologies have been previously described. It is extremely uncommon to have a delayed presentation as an extramedullary compressive lesion from the venous varix of an acquired spinal arteriovenous fistula.

Case description: We present a case of a patient in the fifth decade of life, with a remote history of gunshot wound to the left thorax with progressive left-sided weakness and contralateral pain and temperature sensory loss secondary to cord compression from an acquired spinal arteriovenous fistula.

Conclusions: Subsequent treatment occurred with coil embolization with good outcome.

Keywords: AV fistula; Gunshot wound; Myelopathy; Spinal cord compression.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset*
  • Angiography, Digital Subtraction
  • Brown-Sequard Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Brown-Sequard Syndrome / therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / diagnosis*
  • Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / therapy*
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / methods*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyramidal Tracts / injuries*
  • Spinal Cord / blood supply*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / complications*
  • Wounds, Gunshot / complications*