A case of a large extramedullary arteriovenous fistula in a young man, which was deemed inoperable, is described. The fistula was mainly supplied by the anterior spinal artery and was responsible for a progressive myeloradicular syndrome. Successful treatment with detachable balloons was carried out. Along with this case report, a review is made of the different types of extramedullary arteriovenous fistulas and their treatment based upon 11 cases seen at Lariboisière Hospital: type 1 is a plain small fistula where embolization is contraindicated; type 2 shows an enlarged anterior spinal artery with dysplastic vein and may be embolized with solid particles; type 3 is a very large multipediculated fistula where the best treatment seems to be detachable balloons. The indications for using detachable balloons for temporary occlusion and for definitive treatment are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the possibility of detaching balloons without the need for a coaxial catheter.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of vascular lesions with balloon catheters.

During a 4 year period, 48 patients were treated with balloon catheters. There were 39 fistulas and nine aneurysms. Detachable balloons with a modified Debrun technique were used in 37 patients. Different kinds of technical problems were encountered. The arterial axis remained patent in 29 of the 37 fistulas; in the two mixed internal and external carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas, combined embolization with dura, isobutyl cyanoacrylate, and detachable balloon was used. In six of the nine aneurysms the arterial axis was occluded with a detachable balloon. In three of 48 patients, severe neurologic complications resulted in death.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Myelopathy and radiculopathy due to cervical spondylosis: myelographic-CT correlations.

Forty patients with symptoms and signs of radicular disease or spinal cord involvement secondary to cervical spondylosis were studied with myelography (using nonionic water-soluble contrast medium) followed by computed tomographic (CT) myelography. In 17 patients CT was also performed before myelography. CT myelography adds useful information to the myelographic findings. Cord compression is better evaluated and osteophytes can be differentiated from disk herniation. Plain CT can demonstrate a herniated disk but with less accuracy than CT myelography. Cord and root compression are not seen directly on plain CT; for this reason myelography should be the first procedure in patients with myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy, which may be followed by CT myelography.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hydatid disease of spine. A case report.

Hydatid disease of the primary type may involve CNS and bone. Compression of the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots, caused by hydatid material from an affected vertebra is a rare condition which makes surgical decompression mandatory. We report the neuroradiological findings in a case of vertebral hydatidosis, confirmed by surgical appearance and hystological examination.

Echinococcosis↗