Arteriovenous Malformation of the Cervical Spine Presenting as Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Abstract

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the cervical spine can present with symptoms resulting from their mass effect, vascular steal, or subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). While ruptured cerebral aneurysms bleed fast and usually cause severe headache, AVM bleed slowly; moreover, when the location is extracranial, the presentation might be even more confusing. For these reasons, the clinical course can be misleading. We present the case of a woman who had bleeding from an AVM of the cervical spine and discuss the classification and treatment options of AVM.