A Case of Traumatic Vertebral Arteriovenous Fistula Treated by Coil Embolization Using Braided-stent for Preservation of Parental Artery

Abstract

Objective: Many vertebral arteriovenous (AV) fistulae are associated with trauma. Recently, a procedure to embolize a fistula and parent blood vessel by endovascular treatment has been performed as standard treatment. We report a patient in whom stent-assisted coil embolization with the preservation of the vertebral artery (VA) led to the disappearance of a fistula. Case Presentation: A 48-year-old male. He complained of pulsatile tinnitus 5 days after head bruise. Detailed examination showed a left extracranial vertebral AV fistula with reflux into the intracranial space. Dilation of the AV fistula was noted, with the venous pouch surrounding the VA. Stent-assisted coil embolization of the fistula through the venous side was performed, reducing blood flow. The disappearance of the AV fistula was confirmed 3 months after surgery. Conclusion: We encountered a patient in whom stent-assisted coil embolization of a traumatic vertebral AV fistula led to its disappearance. As a method to preserve a parent blood vessel, stent-assisted treatment may be effective.