Endovascular approach to posterior spinal cord AV shunts via the anterior spinal artery

Abstract

Intradural spinal cord arteriovenous shunts are challenging vascular lesions with poor prognosis if left untreated. Therapeutic options include endovascular treatment, microsurgery or a combined approach. Surgical approaches are more complex if the lesions are located anteriorly and supplied by the anterior spinal artery (ASA). ASA can also vascularize shunts located on the posterior surface of the spinal cord either by transmedullary arteries, pial circumferential arteries or, if affecting the lower portions of the cord, by the anastomotic channels of the basket. Each of these vessels can be used for endovascular navigation to reach the shunts with good results if appropriate anatomical rules are followed. We describe here some technical considerations based on the anatomical analysis for the embolization of posterior spinal cord arteriovenous shunts vascularized by the anterior spinal artery.