The Mystery of Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas. Classification Based on the Dura Maters Derived from the Neural Crest and the Mesoderm

Abstract

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are not distributed homogeneously on the surface of the dural membrane, but there are certain areas susceptible to DAVFs. The dura maters of the olfactory groove, falx cerebri, inferior sagittal sinus, tentorium cerebelli, falx cerebelli, and the spinal cord are composed only of dura propria derived from neural crest cells. The dura maters of the cavernous, transverse, sigmoid sinus, and anterior condylar confluence (hypoglossal canal) are composed of both dura propria and osteal dura derived from mesoderm. Although the cause of the segmental susceptibility has not yet been determined, it is important to analyze DAVFs based on the embryology to understand the pathoetiology for the future's treatment.