Treatment of dural arteriovenous fistula presenting as typical symptoms of hydrocephalus caused by venous congestion: Case report

Abstract

A 76-year-old woman presented with a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) manifesting as typical symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus such as progressive dementia, gait disturbances, and urinary incontinence. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure during lumbar puncture was 120 mm H2O. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed ventricular dilation and diffuse white matter changes, which were consistent with the symptoms of hydrocephalus. Cerebral angiography revealed a DAVF in the transverse-sigmoid sinuses with severe cortical venous reflux into the superior sagittal sinus. Transarterial embolization of the feeding arteries reduced the venous flow from the cortical veins into the superior sagittal sinus. Her symptoms improved with reduction in ventricle size. However, she suffered recurrence of the same symptoms several months later. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated ventricular dilation associated with hydrocephalus. Angiography revealed a fistulous channel in the left transverse-sigmoid junction. Transvenous embolization was performed resulting in complete obliteration of the fistula. Magnetic resonance image findings such as ventricular dilation and diffuse white matter disappeared and the symptoms of hydrocephalus improved. Although DAVFs often present as venous hypertensive encephalopathy, this case presented with ventricular dilation and diffuse white matter changes, which are the typical neurological signs of normalpressure hydrocephalus. Venous hypertension associated with the DAVF in the transverse-sigmoid sinuses may have been caused by normal pressure hydrocephalus.