Neurologic manifestations of spinal epidural arteriovenous malformations.

Eight patients with spinal epidural arteriovenous malformations presented with progressive myelopathy (3), hemorrhage (3), and tinnitus/bruits (2). MRI suggested a vascular malformation in four (of seven) patients. Spinal angiography was necessary for diagnosis. Treatment by endovascular embolic occlusion (with balloons, particles, or coils) (7 patients) or surgical resection (4 patients), or both, temporarily arrested progression of neurologic symptoms, but recurrence of symptoms in two patients was associated with development of collateral arterial supply to the malformation.