Endovascular embolization for spinal cord vascular malformation

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of endovascular embolization for the treatment of spinal cord vascular malformation(SCVM).Methods During the past ten years endovascular embolization was performed in 32 consecutive patients with SCVM,including 19 males and 13 females with a mean age of 47.2 years.The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were followed up for 10 months to 6 years.The clinical efficacy was evaluated and the results were graded as full recovery,improvement,unchanged and aggravation.Results The SCVMs in our series included spinal dural arteriovenous fistula(SDAVF,n = 16),perimedullary arteriovenous fistula(PMAVF,n = 9) and spinal arteriovenous malformation(SAVM,n = 7).Complete embolization was achieved in 20 cases and partial embolization in 12 cases,among them pure arterial aneurysm or venous aneurysm was occluded in 4.During an average follow-up period of 48 months,complete recovery was seen in 5 cases,marked improvement in 16 cases,unchanged condition in 8 cases and clinical aggravation in 3 cases.Recurrence was observed in 2 of the improved cases.No bleeding or re-bleeding occurred.Conclusion Endovascular embolization is an effective and minimally-invasive treatment for SCVM with fewer complications.(J Intervent Radiol,2010,19: 933-935)