MRI MYELOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION OF FISTULOUS TRACT IN SPINAL DURAL ARTERIOVENOUS-MALFORMATIONS PRIOR TO ARTERIOGRAPHY

Objective: Our goal was to use currently available imaging methods to localize the fistulous tract of spinal dural arteriovenous malformatio ns (SDAVMs) prior to arteriography. Materials and Methods: Two middle- aged men showed MR findings indicative of a SDAVM. In the first patien t coronal T2-weighted (T2W) imaging identified the engorged draining r adiculospinal vein and traced it back to the intervertebral foramen si te where the ''nidus'' was located. Then, axial T2W imaging was perfor med at the level of the involved intervertebral foramen. In the second patient MRI failed to demonstrate the nidus; myelography was carried out and showed the course of the abnormal intraspinal vein. Results: S uccessful MR/myelographic demonstration of the nidus (Case 1) or the a bnormal intraspinal vein (Case 2) simplified and abbreviated the later studies. Conclusion: With MRI and/or myelography we were able to loca lize the site of the fistulous tract in the two cases of SDAVM prior t o spinal arteriography.