A Case of Relapsing Myelopathy Caused by Spinal Epidural AV Malformation

ABSTRACT

Spinal arteriovenous malformation ( AVM ) can be a rare cause of relapsing myelopathy. We recently have the opportunity to study a 20-year-old male patient having spinal epidural AVM confirmed by surgical biopsy. To our knowledge, a case of relapsing and remitting course of spinal epidural AVM has not been reported in Korea. A 20-year-old male was admitted because of sudden paraparesis and disturbance of all sensory modalities below the T5 dermatome, 5 times during 2 years. Cerebrospinal fluid profiles did not reveal any pathologic findings. Until the 4th attack, MR findings were non diagnostic. At the 5th attack, thoracic spine MR revealed epidural hematoma compressing the spinal cord. Diagnostic and therapeutic decompressive surgical procedure was done. On surgical field, solitary and tortuous feeding vessels with hematoma were seen in epidural space. Microscopically, the tissue was compatible with arteriovenous malformation.