The Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula in a Patient With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is an elusive and underdiagnosed disease. Congestive myelopathy occurs from increased venous pressure transmitted by the fistula between a radiculomeningeal artery and the spinal venous plexus. While its cause remains unknown, associations between SDAVF and hyper-vascular states have been reported. We present the first documented case report of a de novo SDAVF diagnosis in a patient with active renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastasis to the spinal epidural space and review the literature.