Spinal Arteriovenous Malformations

Abstract

Because of the role of the neural crest and the mesoderm in the development of the segmental vascularization,extracranial branchial and para-spinal arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) are similar in nature. Although they are located in different anatomical areas,the fistulae are fed by arteries supplying the craniocervical junction (the maxillary, the ascending pharyngeal artery, the occipital artery and the thyro-and costocervical arteries). The internal carotid artery (ICA) in its first cervical segment can also be included in this group, as it corresponds to the third aortic arch. The vertebral arteries are intersegmental channels that bridge and link three to eight cervical segmental arteries (Vol.1). The arteriovenous shunts (AVSs)supplied by the vertebral arteries should also be considered as segmental. We can therefore include vertebral artery-to-vertebral vein fistulae or vertebro-vertebral AVFs (VVAVFs)in the group of extracranial and paraspinal AVFs (parachordal, following the notochord).