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Updated: May 22, 2026
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Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
Multiple dural arteriovenous fistulas presenting as rapidly progressive dementia
Nuno Mendonça1, Gonçalo Santos, Diana Duro
1Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. nunomig.mendonca@gmail.com
The Neurologist
|May 3, 2012
Summary
Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) can mimic prion disease, causing cognitive dysfunction in older adults. Early diagnosis and treatment of DAVFs can lead to significant clinical improvement.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are frequently misdiagnosed neurological conditions.
- In elderly patients, DAVFs can manifest as isolated cognitive impairment.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressive dementia, resembling prion disease.
- Neuroimaging revealed multifocal DAVFs, venous thrombosis, and white matter abnormalities.
Findings:
- The patient's dementia was attributed to impaired cerebral circulation secondary to venous hypertensive encephalopathy from DAVFs.
- Endovascular embolization of DAVFs and subsequent anticoagulation led to clinical improvement.
Implications:
- DAVFs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dementia, especially in older individuals.
- Timely diagnosis and intervention for DAVFs can significantly improve neurological outcomes.
- This case highlights the importance of considering treatable vascular lesions in cognitive decline.
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