Importancia del drenaje venoso cortical en la historia natural de las fístulas durales / Importance of the cortical venous drainage in the natural history of dural arteriovenous fistulas

RESUMO

Dural arteriovenous fistulas are direct arteriovenous connections within the duramater either in the cranial or spinal region. They account for 10 to 15 percent of all intracranial arteriovenous malformations and they have been consistently reported since forty years. The clinical picture is variable with mild symptoms as tinnitus or secondary to ocular venous congestion, or severe ones, like neurologic symptoms or hemorrhage. They can present at any age but most of the patients are over 50 years old. The anatomy of this malformation is variable and sometimes difficult. Natural history is not completely known, therefore the best treatment is still a matter of debate. In order to achieve a favorable treatment, many publications have been focused in the classification of these malformations based on a relation between the anatomy and the natural history.