Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Characteristic Pattern of Edema and Enhancement of the Medulla on MRI
Recommended Citation
Copelan AZ, Krishnan A, Marin H, and Silbergleit R. Dural arteriovenous fistulas: A characteristic pattern of edema and enhancement of the medulla on MRI. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2018 Feb;39(2):238-244.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2018
Publication Title
AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology
Abstract
Medullary edema with enhancement is rarely reported at initial MR imaging in intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas. We report a series of 5 patients with dural arteriovenous fistulas, all of whom demonstrated a characteristic pattern of central medullary edema and medullary enhancement at initial MR imaging. Cognard type V dural arteriovenous fistula, defined by drainage into the perimedullary veins and the veins surrounding the brain stem, is a rare yet well-described pathologic entity. Even more rarely reported, however, is its clinical presentation with predominantly bulbar symptoms and MR imaging findings of central medullary edema with enhancement. This constellation of findings frequently leads to a convoluted clinical picture, prompting work-up for alternative disease processes and delaying diagnosis. Because an expedited diagnosis is critical in preventing poor outcomes, it is paramount to make the referring physician and neuroradiologist more cognizant of this rare-yet-characteristic imaging manifestation of dural arteriovenous fistula.
Medical Subject Headings
Adult; Aged; Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations; Edema; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medulla Oblongata; Middle Aged
PubMed ID
29217743
Volume
39
Issue
2
First Page
238
Last Page
244
