Endovascular treatment of V3 segment vertebro-vertebral arteriovenous fistula with Willis covered stent: Case report and literature review

Abstract

A 46-year-old male presented to our hospital suffering from right mastoid pulsatile tinnitus secondary to traffic trauma. Digital subtraction angiography was remarkable for a vertebro-vertebral arteriovenous fistula fed by the right vertebral artery at the C1 level. Dual platelet therapy was administrated before and after the operation, then a Willis covered stent was deployed at the orifice of the fistula. Post-operative angiography showed proper stent localization but some contrast agent leaking from the fistula. Angiography performed 6 months post-operatively demonstrated no leak from the fistula and the patency of the right vertebral artery. This case demonstrated that an intracranial covered stent could be used as an alternative, successful treatment for vertebro-vertebral arteriovenous fistula.