Endovascular Treatment of Spinal Vascular Malformations

Vascular lesions of the spinal axis encompass a heterogeneous collection of entities that include arteriovenous malformations, arteriovenous fistulas, aneurysms, cavernous malformations, and hemangioblastomas. These lesions can be congenital or acquired and can cause acute, subacute, or chronic spinal cord dysfunction, which may be either complete or partial. Their respective causes, natural histories, and clinical presentations vary greatly and have engendered many classification schemes in the past century. Understanding the radiographic anatomy of these lesions provides insight into the diagnosis and treatment of these potentially devastating lesions. Endovascular management continues to be the primary mechanism of diagnosis and often an effective means to treat these lesions. Embolic agents including coils and liquid embolics play an integral role in the management of spinal lesions.