Balloon embolization of nontraumatic vertebral arteriovenous fistulae in children.

Two children, aged 4 and 8 years, with nontraumatic extracranial vertebral arteriovenous fistula are described. Under general anesthesia and with fluoroscopic guidance, using a percutaneous endovascular technique, latex detachable balloons were used to successfully occlude the fistulae. The patients were monitored with somatosensory and auditory evoked potentials and kept hypotensive for 24 hours. Immediate and follow-up angiography 1 year later showed obliteration of the fistula in both patients. The management of this rare condition is discussed.