Pediatric spinal arteriovenous malformations and fistulas: a single institute's experience

Pediatric spinal vascular diseases are extremely rare. We aimed to evaluate their clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in our institute.

A total of 10 patient files were retrospectively reviewed, including 3 cases of intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), 6 cases of perimedullary arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), and 1 case of epidural AVF. Clinical features, radiological findings, treatment results, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. The median durations of the radiologic and clinical follow-ups were 17.7 and 107.9 months, respectively.

The male to female ratio was 1:1, with a median age at diagnosis of 9 years. All AVMs were juvenile type, all perimedullary AVFs were high flow types (three type IVb and three type IVc), and one epidural AVF was associated with intradural venous drainage. Most cases (90 %) were located in the cervical spine and conus medullaris. Acute neurological deterioration was identified in five patients; however, bleeding was identified in only one patient. Two cases were surgically treated, seven cases underwent embolization, and one case underwent radiosurgery. Three cases were completely obliterated, and their clinical states were improved (n = 2; 66.7 %) and stationary (n = 1; 33.3 %). Meanwhile, seven cases were incompletely obliterated, and their clinical states were improved (n = 2; 28.6 %), stationary (n = 3; 42.8 %), and aggravated (n = 2; 28.6 %).

Pediatric spinal AVMs and AVFs were mostly complex and high flow types, and complete obliteration could not be satisfactorily achieved. Incompletely treated lesions should be closely followed up because they may worsen.