The surgical management of spinal dural vascular malformations.

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the most common spinal vascular malformation. The spinal dural AVF is a disease of adults, primarily men, that is a cause of subacute progressive lower extremity myelopathy. The challenge for the optimum management of these patients is in making an accurate, early diagnosis. Definitive surgical intervention by interruption of the intradural draining vein is the treatment of choice.