CHILDHOOD DURAL ARTERIOVENOUS-FISTULAS OF THE POSTERIOR DURAL SINUSES- 3 CASE-REPORTS AND LITERATURE-REVIEW

WE REPORT THREE cases of posterior dural sinus arteriovenous fistulae in pediatric patients and a literature review of 18 additional cases. These lesions carry a grave prognosis with a reported mortality of 38% and with an historical anatomic cure of only similar to 9%. With adva nced neurointerventional techniques and increased knowledge of their p athophysiology, these highly complicated lesions can be more safely tr eated with a strategy that involves extensive preoperative embolizatio n and surgical excision. The importance of delaying direct surgery wit h conservative measures or interventional radiological treatment, incl uding preoperative transarterial and transvenous embolization, is crit ical in the management of these lesions.