Discrepancy between provocative test and clinical results following endovascular obliteration of spinal arteriovenous malformation.

We report a case of spinal arteriovenous malformation with no signs of neurological deterioration after transarterial embolization, although the results of a provocative test with injection of lidocaine was positive on monitoring of clinical findings and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs). We discussed the possible overestimation by the provocative test, and the limitations of SEP monitoring during endovascular surgery.