Foramen magnum dural arteriovenous fistulae with repeated subarachnoid haemorrhage.

SUMMARY: We report a patient who had dural arteriovenous fistulae in the region of the foramen magnum with repeated subarachnoid haemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal vascular structures on the right side of the medulla oblongata in an extra-axial portion. Angiographic findings showed that the lesion was supplied from the meningeal arteries and drained directly into the subarachnoid vein. There was venous dilatation. Embolisation was performed via the transarterial approach using a micro coil and liquid material. Three years after treatment, the patients' condition is good and follow-up angiograms confirmed the stability of the treatment outcome. While dural arteriovenous fistulae of the foramen magnum are rare, this malformation results in a high rate of bleeding and requires treatment.