[Surgical treatment of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas: Management and long-term results in a series of patients operated in an Argentinian Center].

Introduction: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) is a rare vascular disease, of unknown etiology, frequently underdiagnosed. Treatment can be microsurgical or endovascular.

Methods: Retrospective and monocentric analysis of 12 SDAVF patients treated by microsurgery between 2010 and 2021. Parameters including age, sex, pre and postoperative clinical condition were analyzed according to modified Aminoff-Logue and Rankin scales. Diagnostic studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and spinal digital subtraction angiography (DSA), were evaluated for lesion level, as were surgical results.

Results: Twelve patients (10 men and 2 women), average age: 60 years, were operated. The interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was < 12 months in all cases except one (32 months). SDAVF locations were thoracic in 8 cases, between T6 and T12, 3 at lumbar spine (L1-L2) and at S1 in one case, with no difference regarding side. The Adamkiewicz artery was identified in 5 cases at L1, 2 at D12, 2 at D10, 2 at D9 and 1 at D7 (7 left-sided and 5 right-sided). Three of the 12 patients operated had undergone prior embolization. Postoperative neurological outcomes showed: 2 patients remained stable and 10 improved one or more points on the mRs; no postoperative complications were observed. Follow-up MRI images improved in all cases and spinal DSA was negative at 6 months. Average follow-up was 40 months (range 6 to 122) and no patient presented recurrence.

Conclusion: Microsurgical treatment of SDAVF proved to be efficient, with low morbidity and lower recurrence rates compared to endovascular results.