Abstract:Objective: To explore the clinical features, imaging features and treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF), in order to improve the early identification and diagnosis of SDAVF. Methods: The clinical features, imaging features and treatment of 6 patients with SDAVF admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery in Shanghai Putuo District People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Of the 6 patients with SDAVF, 5 were males and 1 was female. The age of diagnosis ranged from 22 to 74 years old. The course of the disease ranged from 2 months to 2 years. Legs weakness was involved in 5 patients, legs or limbs sensory disorder in 6 patients, and bowel and/or bladder dysfunction in 4 patients, among which 2 patients required indwelling catheter. Magnetic resonance (MR) examination of spinal cord was performed in 5 patients before surgery. The results showed spinal cord long T1 and long T2 signals, and there was vascular flow void signal change on the surface of spinal cord, and enhancement was seen after contrastenhanced MR scan. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed that fistula occurred in the thoracic segment in 5 patients, one patient had 3 times of DSA and no fistulas were found, and the fistula was found during the operation. Fistulas were excised during the surgery in the 5 patients, and all recovered well after the operations. Conclusion: SDAVF has its clinical features and imaging characteristics. Spinal MR can be used for preliminary diagnosis. DSA is the gold standard for diagnosis, surgery is an effective treatment method, and early diagnosis and early treatment can help to improve the prognosis of patients.
