Neurofibromatosis with spinal paralysis due to arteriovenous fistula.

A case of neurofibromatosis with spinal paralysis due to arteriovenous fistula is reported. Preoperatively, the appropriate diagnosis was missed because angiography had not been performed. Postoperative angiography disclosed that an arteriovenous fistula formed a tumor-like mass, and that a part of the mass had invaded the spinal canal, compressing the spinal cord. It is concluded that the possibility of an arteriovenous fistula should be kept in mind in neurofibromatosis patients with spinal cord symptoms.