Radiosurgery for dural arterio-venous fistulas: a review

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are vascular lesions involving direct connections between intracranial dural arteries and venous sinuses. The goal of treatment of these vascular lesions is to alleviate symptoms and prevent future hemorrhage. While endovascular embolization remains the primary method of treatment and obliteration of dAVF recently, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been used as a treatment modality in select dAVF either alone or in conjunction with endovascular embolization. Considering recent studies examining dAVFs natural history and possible therapeutic interventions, the authors provide a concise review of the literature and discuss the indications, efficacy, and safety of SRS in the management of dAVFs.