Epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and prognosis of cerebral dural arteriovenous fistulas

Arteriovenous Fistulas: The Pathological Bridge

“…While others were found to have venous sinus thrombosis which resulted in the formation of small dural arteriovenous shunts by the invasion of angiogenic factors, released from the organizing thrombus, to a group of small dural arteries. However, it has been noted that DAVF can precede either venous sinus occlusion or thrombosis, because of its association with venous hypertension [11,12].…”

“…In type II lesion, the drainage to dural sinus goes in an anterograde fashion, however, the high pressure within the DAVF causes blood to flow in a retrograde way to subarachnoid veins. In type III lesions, the drainage goes directly and completely to subarachnoid veins [11].…”

“…Benign symptoms like headache and pulsatile tinnitus present when DAVF drains into dural sinus in an anterograde pattern without CVD. Aggressive symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri, papilledema and dementia present when DAVF drains in a retrograde pattern leading to an increase in the intracranial pressure, hence the severe presentation [11].…”

“…Tentorial and anterior cranial fossa DAVFs usually present with hemorrhage because both can obtain retrograde CVD. Exophthalmos and chemosis are also present in cases of anterior cranial fossa DAVFs if they obtain cavernous sinus drainage [11].…”

Successful Endovascular Treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia Caused by a CarotidCavernous Fistula: Case Report

“…Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) of the cavernous sinus are arteriovenous connections located in the dura mater leaflets of this region [1]. The usual presentation of a DAVF is predominantly ocular, with symptoms such as diplopia, conjunctival hyperemia, involvement of cranial nerves III/IV/VI, exophthalmos, and chemosis [2][3][4][5]. The patient may rarely present with facial pain as a concomitant symptom [6][7][8][9].…”