Fatal Hemorrhage Immediately after Transvenous Embolization of Transverse-sigmoid Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas:...

We report a case of intracerebral hemorrhage following emergency transvenous embolization for an acute symptomatic non-hemorrhagic dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF).

An 83-year-old woman demonstrated gait disorder and disturbance of consciousness. A transverse-sigmoid dAVF with retrograde deep venous drainage was detected on DSA. The left sigmoid sinus-jugular vein and the sinus confluence were occluded and the dAVF drains via the straight sinus (SS), medial superior cerebral veins and deep veins to the superior sagittal sinus (SSS). The dAVF was emergently treated by sinus packing of the transverse-sigmoid sinus with coils with contralateral approach via the occluded sinus confluence. Although the dAVF was markedly regressed, massive cerebral hemorrhage developed in the left parietal lobe immediately after embolization.

Although early treatment is required for dAVFs with aggressive symptoms, precious evaluation of their hemodynamics, particularly for drainage pattern, is mandatory to avoid a serious complication.