Interactive spinal computed tomography angiography–guided spinal digital subtraction angiography and embolization for thoracolumbar epidural arteriovenous fistulas: illustrative case

Abstract

BACKGROUND Spinal digital subtraction angiography (sDSA) is the gold standard for examining spinal arteriovenous fistulas; however, thorough sDSA evaluations of spinal arteriovenous fistulas require a long procedure, which may increase the radiation exposure time. OBSERVATIONS A 72-year-old man presented with progressive myelopathy due to a spinal epidural arteriovenous fistula. Spinal computed tomography angiography (sCTA) showed an epidural arteriovenous fistula fed by the left L3 segmental artery. To prepare for sDSA, the sCTA images were modified to mark the segmental artery bifurcations from T5 to L5 with multicolored markers. These modified sCTA images were loaded onto the multiwindow DSA display. The sCTA images were interactively modulated during sDSA. This sCTA-guided sDSA identified 18 segmental arteries within 47 minutes. The total radiation exposure was 1,292 mGy. Subsequently, transarterial embolization resolved the epidural arteriovenous fistula with clinical improvement. LESSONS Three-dimensional sCTA can provide detailed anatomical information before sDSA. Modified sCTA images with segmental artery bifurcation marking can provide interactive guidance on multipanel DSA displays. sCTA-guided sDSA is useful for accurate catheterization and reduction of procedure time.