Paraspinal arteriovenous fistula presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute progressive myelopathy

Abstract

A 60-year-old man presented with paraspinal arteriovenous fistula (AVF) manifesting as subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and acute progressive myelopathy. The patient presented with sudden onset of low back pain and paraparesis. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealed a vascular malformation on the lumbar spinal canal. Three-dimensional computed tomography angiography demonstrated a paraspinal AVF in the sacral ventral pelvis. The clinical symptoms were progressing rapidly, so transarterial embolization and surgical drainage ligation were performed. Paraspinal AVF may present with SAH and cause acute progressive myelopathy. Prompt examination and treatment are necessary.