Dural arteriovenous fistulas: An introduction and historical perspective

Abstract

Abstract Originally described by Rizzoli in 1873, dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs), originally referred to as dural arteriovenous malformations, are “live pieces of dura” with arteriovenous shunting within the dural leaflets. Venous outflow either remains within the dura into a venous sinus or exits the dura into a cortical vein, the cardinal factor dictating natural history/hemorrhage risk. This was best originally highlighted by Houser and colleagues at the Mayo clinic in 1972. dAVFs were originally classified by Rene Djindjian in 1978 into four types, later modified into a five-type classification scheme by Djindjian’s pupil, Jean-Jacques Merland, and Christophe Cognard. Many incorrectly refer to a “Borden classification” that was intended to link Djindjian’s cranial scheme to spinal fistulae. This chapter provides an overview of the textbook with highlighted key tenets in diagnosis and treatment.