CONTRAST-ENHANCED MRI IN SPINAL ARTERIOVENOUS-MALFORMATIONS AND FISTULAS BEFORE AND AFTER EMBOLIZATION THERAPY

MRI was performed in six cases of spinal arteriovenous malformation (A VM) and arteriovenous fistula (AVF) before and after embolisation. Int ramedullary and perimedullary AVMs showed marked vascular enhancement after embolisation. This was thought to reflect feeding vessel occlusi on and correlated well with a favourable clinical outcome. In dural AV Fs, contrast-enhanced studies were essential for the diagnosis, unenha nced images being nonspecific. After embolisation, enhancement of the spinal cord was reduced, although one case with a poor outcome showed persistent enhancement.