Usefulness of Distal Access Catheter in Endovascular Embolization for Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae in the Mid-Thoracic Segment.

OBJECTIVE

We report a case of mid-thoracic spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) that was successfully treated by transarterial embolization using a distal access catheter (DAC).

CASE PRESENTATION

A 75-year-old male presented with about a 2-year history of slowly progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness and numbness. Spinal MRI revealed significant spinal cord lesions and flow voids below Th4. Spinal angiography revealed a mid-thoracic SDAVF. We performed a transarterial selective embolization using a 4.2Fr DAC combined with a 6Fr guiding catheter to obtain a stronger support. The fistula was completely occluded.

CONCLUSION

For endovascular embolization of SDAVF, especially in the case of mid-thoracic SDAVF, using a DAC can be one of the most powerful options to obtain a stronger support.