Paraspinal arterio-venous fistula in children: two more cases of an exceptional malformation

Abstract

We report on the case of two toddlers who presented in the last 2 years with heart and vascular murmur, respectively, and in whom the diagnosis of paraspinal arterio-venous fistula was made. Paraspinal arterio-venous fistulae in children are extremely rare congenital or post-traumatic vascular malformations. In the rare case of connection with the spinal venous system, they might affect spinal vascularization due to potential venous congestion. Interventional embolization rather than surgery is the treatment of choice for such lesions. Up to now, there is no consensus about the indication of prophylactic closure of asymptomatic fistulae. However, close clinical follow-up with repeated spinal magnetic resonance imaging to exclude venous congestion is mandatory for young asymptomatic patients until treatment.

Keywords

• Arterio-venous malformation
• paraspinal arterio-venous fistula
• children.