Abstract
We studied retrograde leptomeningeal venous drainage (RLVD) in 20 patients with dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with special reference to symptoms, findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and treatment results.
In 11 patients there was an accessory route in the RLVD route that was angiographic evidence into the other sinus as well as the involved sinus. There were no hyperintensity areas on T2-weighted MRI. The 9 other patients did not have the accessory route. T2-weighted MRI revealed hyperintensity areas on the involved side of the brain in these patients. In 5 of the 9 patients, the hyperintense areas disappeared and symptoms improved after treatment. Their pre-operative SPECT study demonstrated hypoperfusion in these areas, and vasoreactivity to Diamox was preserved. In the 4 other patients the abnormal hyperintensity areas persisted and the symptoms persisted after treatment. Their pre-operative SPECT study had shown hypoperfusion, and there was no Diamox vasoreactivity.
In DAVFs patients with no accessory route in the RLVD we consistently observed hyperintensity areas on MRI, reflecting venous congestion. The preservation of Diamox vasoreactivity on SPECT study appears to be a good prognostic indicator.
