The importance of venous hypertension in the formation of dural arteriovenous fistulas: a case report of multiple fistulas remote from sinus thrombosis

Various hypotheses have been reported concerning the pathogenesis of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). However, it is still controversial whether sinus thrombosis or venous hypertension has a greater influence on the form ation of DAVFs. We present a rare case of multiple DAVFs that developed aft er sinus thrombosis. Chronic venous hypertension secondary to sinus thrombo sis in the left transverse-sigmoid sinus induced the multiple DAVFs, includ ing one in the right cavernous sinus, which was remote from the occluded si nus. This case indicates the importance of venous hypertension in the forma tion of DAVFs.