Spontaneous obliteration of a spinal perimedullary fistula

Abstract

We herewith report a young patient who had an incidental spinal vascular malformation of the cervicomedullary junction discovered during a work-up for anosmia. Angiography demonstrated a perimedullary spinal arteriovenous fistula with supply from lateral spinal arteries arising from bilateral V3 level segmental arteries. It was decided to manage the patient conservatively with magnetic resonance imaging monitored biannually. On a recent follow-up magnetic resonance, nearly 10 years later, we noted a subtle change in caliber and imaging characteristics at the posterior margin of the cervical medullary junction. Repeat digital-subtraction angiography showed no evidence of early venous filling from the previously involved branches. Microcatheter exploration of the right lateral spinal artery confirmed spontaneous occlusion of the spinal perimedullary arteriovenous fistula, without any persistent shunting. Spontaneous resolution of a spinal vascular malformation is rare; this case demonstrates the dynamic nature of shunting vascular malformations and that spontaneous obliteration of arteriovenous shunts is possible.