Analysis of the characteristics of MRI in 8 cases of spinal dural arterio-venous fistula

Abstract

Objective To analyze the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF), and to improve the understanding of this diease and the early diagnosis rate. Methods The clinical data and MRI manifestations of eight patients with SDAVF admitted to Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital of Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2006 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Of the eight patients, six lesions were located in the thoracic region, one lesion was in lumbosacral region and one lesion was in craniocervical junction. MRI showed tortuous flow void phenomena in spinal cord, the contrast MRI study showed the tortuous blood vessels significantly enhanced; all patients presented intramedullary abnormalities, and 6 cases presented spinal cord thickening. Conclusions SDAVF is easily to be missed or misdiagnosed. MRI plays an important role in the early diagnosis that it can provide basis for diagnosis and identification of SDAVF. Key words: Spinal dural arterio-venous fistula; Spinal meninges; Magnetic resonance imaging features