Vertebral-venous fistula: an unusual cause for ocular symptoms mimicking a carotid cavernous fistula.

Vertebral-venous fistulas (VVF), or vertebral-vertebral arteriovenous fistulas, are an uncommon clinical entity. Typically, they present as a result of a direct vascular connection between an extracranial branch of the vertebral artery or its radicular components and the epidural venous plexus. These may manifest with signs and symptoms referable to cervical myelopathy secondary to compression or steal phenomenon.

Vertebral-venous fistula: an unusual cause for ocular symptoms mimicking a carotid cavernous fistula.

Vertebral-venous fistulas (VVF), or vertebral-vertebral arteriovenous fistulas, are an uncommon clinical entity. Typically, they present as a result of a direct vascular connection between an extracranial branch of the vertebral artery or its radicular components and the epidural venous plexus. These may manifest with signs and symptoms referable to cervical myelopathy secondary to compression or steal phenomenon.

Modified French-window thoracotomy for exposure of the anterior thoracic spine.

Due to the limited exposure, technical challenges, and postoperative pain of thoracic spine surgery, open thoracotomy and video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The modified French-window thoracotomy approach with the aid of a thoracoscope is a useful technique for approaching diseases of the anterior spinal. This approach allows for specific exposure of the spine with a reduction in postoperative pain, morbidity, and mortality and avoids the limitations of VATS.