Arteriovenous malformation of the cervical spinal cord with unusual drainage into the cranial cavity.

A case of arteriovenous malformation of the cervical cord 20 years in duration, studied angiographically, using computerized tomography scans and magnetic resonance images, as well as findings at autopsy are presented. The malformation was fed by the right vertebral artery, which entered a giant saccular aneurysm-like structure located subdurally on posterior spinal cord surface, and terminated there. Plenty of vessels of various diameter were found in the spinal cord substance at this level (C4-C6). Blood flow drained via a grossly enlarged vein at the anterior spinal cord fissure into cranial cavity, where varicose posterior fossa veins could be clearly seen and a single vertebral artery was present.