Cerebral dural arteriovenous fistulas

Abstract

The cerebral dural arteriovenous (AV) fistula is arare cerebral vascular malformation. Clinical presentation varies from asymptomatic to acute intracranial bleeding. Classification is based on the venous drainage with arisk assessment of bleeding. The carotid-cavernous fistula is asubtype with its own classification and treatment approaches. Nowadays, dural fistulas can be diagnosed using high-resolution and time-resolved tomographic methods. Catheter angiography with subsequent interdisciplinary discussion should be performed for precise classification and therapy planning. Both endovascular and surgical treatment methods are available.