Abstract
Background and Purpose - Multi-detector computed tomographic (MDCT) angiography is a recently developed imaging technique that can study small vessels such as medullary arteries and veins. The purpose of this study was to evaluate MDCT angiography in diagnosing SDAVF. Methods - Eight patients with initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical findings suggestive of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) and 8 control subjects underwent MDCT angiography. Both MDCT angiography and catheter angiography were performed within 5 days in patients with SDAVFs. The results of MDCT angiography in patients with SDAVFs were compared with those of catheter angiography. Results - MDCT angiography detected engorged perimedullary draining veins and correctly localized the fistula of the SDAVFs, and correlated well with catheter angiography. Fistula was at the thoracic level in 7 patients, and sacral level in 1 patient. MDCT angiography did not visualize the engorged perimedullary venous plexus in the control group. Conclusion - MDCT angiography correlated well with catheter angiography in diagnosing SDAVFs. It might play a role in shortening the length of the catheter angiography in diagnosing this disease.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1562-1564 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Stroke |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2005 |
Keywords
- Angiography
- Arteriovenous fistula
- Central nervous system
- Computed tomography
- Spinal cord
- Vascular malformations