Aaron Cohen-Gadol, MD, MSC
Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine & Indiana University Department of Neurological Surgery, Indianapolis, IN
Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) is an acquired abnormal arterial-to-venous connection within the spinal dura with a wide range of clinical presentations and natural history. Herein we present one patient with brainstem dysfunction secondary to a spinal dAVF. The fistula was located within the C-3 nerve root sleeve. The details of microsurgical techniques to disconnect the fistula will be discussed. Although the option of endovascular disconnection of the fistula is reasonable, the author elected to proceed with microsurgical disconnection after discussion regarding the risks of such an endovascular route for the cervical spinal cord.