Microsurgery Versus Endovascular Treatment - Which Is Adequate for Initial Treatment of Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: A Case Series

OBJECTIVE: Considering the adverse natural history of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (sDAVF), clinical outcomes may be worsened if the initial occlusive trial does not achieve complete fistula occlusion. We aimed to analyze the initial success rate of microsurgery and embolization and confirm the effects of initial treatment success on the clinical outcomes of sDAVF patients. In addition, we investigated the factors associated with initial treatment failure. METHODS: A total of 38 patients treated for sDAVF at a single institution over a 14-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes according to the initial treatment modality were quantitatively analyzed. Demographic characteristics and angioarchitecture data were evaluated to identify factors associated with initial treatment failure. RESULTS: In the study population, 34 patients underwent embolization as the initial treatment, and complete occlusion of the fistula was achieved in 13 patients (38%). However, all patients who underwent microsurgery showed complete fistula occlusion. Among patients with initial treatment success, gait and micturition were improved with statistical significance (p < 0.001 each). However, in cases of initial treatment failure, only mild improvements in gait and micturition were observed, which were not statistically significant (p = 0.097 and p = 0.375, respectively). A narrow feeding artery diameter (p = 0.007) and embolization of the artery only (p = 0.002) were identified as factors associated with initial treatment failure. CONCLUSION: To achieve symptomatic improvement and prevent neurological deterioration due to recurrence, the initial definite occlusion of the fistula is important. Despite advances in endovascular techniques, microsurgical occlusion is still superior in terms of initial complete obliteration.