Abstract
Objective: Vertebral arteriovenous fistulas (VAVFs) are uncommon lesions and are caused by traumatic or spontaneous origin. Tinnitus or bruit is the most common symptom of VAVFs, but there are no reported cases that weight loss is a chief complaint.
Case presentation: A 26-year-old man presented with weight loss and a supraclavicular pulsatile mass. Seven years prior to this admission, his right jugular vein had been catheterized for treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Digital subtraction angiography showed a high-flow VAVF between segment V1 of the right vertebral artery and the paravertebral venous plexus. The fistula was successfully trapped internally by using detachable coils. The postprocedural course was good, and there has been no recurrence during the 31 months of follow-up. The body weight of the patient recovered by 10 kg in the year after treatment. It is considered that the mechanisms of the weight loss in VAVF are similar to the mechanisms of the weight loss which is one of the complications in the cases of heart failure.
Conclusion: Endovascular treatment may be considered the treatment of choice for VAVFs.
