Sacral Meningeal Arteriovenous Fistula Fed by Branches of the Hypogastric Arteries and Drained Through Medullary Veins

The authors report a new case of intraspinal extra-medullary meningeal arteriovenous fistula draining through medullary veins. Discovered in a 33-year-old black man suffering from a cauda equina syndrome, this malformation suspected in myelography was confirmed by a selective angiographic procedure of both internal iliac arteries. This investigation specified the sacral site of the fistula as well as its feeding arteries from several branches of the left and right internal iliac arteries and its posterior and intra-meningeal venous medullary drainage. An embolization procedure followed by a surgical approach and a second embolization session brought a fair improvement to this young patient who could walk again. The acquired traumatic origin of the fistula is discussed for this patient who had been previously operated at his L5-S1 level.