Clipping and exclusion of a thoracic pial arteriovenous fistula with multiple shunting points: how I do it.

BACKGROUND

Thoracic pial arteriovenous fistulas (pAVFs) are rare vascular malformations that usually consist of a single dilated pial artery connecting directly to an enlarged draining vein. Multiple shunting point thoracic pAVFs are even rarer entities causing progressive myelopathy.

METHOD

We present our surgical technique to identify and exclude multiple shunting point thoracic pAVF with appropriate pre-operative planning. This surgical technique is illustrated by an intraoperative video.

CONCLUSION

Double injection pre-operative angiography represents a helpful tool to plan the surgery. Intraoperative exposure with pedicle removal and the use of micro-Doppler improve the identification and the exclusion of a multiple shunting thoracic pAVF.