Intradural spinal cord arteriovenous shunts in the pediatric population: natural history, endovascular management, and follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Intradural spinal cord arteriovenous shunts represent a rare entity, particularly in the pediatric population, and clinical diagnosis can be challenging. METHODS: We report the analysis of clinical, angioarchitectural, procedural, and follow-up data in a population of 36 children managed by our team between 2002 and 2017. RESULTS: Hemorrhage occurred in 26 children (72%). Age at onset was 9.22 ± 3.65 years. Lesions were located at the thoracic level in 16 cases, at the cervical level in 15 cases, and the thoraco-lumbar region in 5 cases. A genetic or metameric syndrome was associated in 18 children (50%). Glue embolization provided complete occlusion in 5 children, subtotal in 7, and extensive in 14 without intraprocedural complications. We observed clinical normalization in 11 children, improvement in 11 cases, and stability in 3. Four children worsened during the follow-up, and one child died. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular staged glue embolization performed in experienced centers is safe in the treatment of pediatric intradural spinal cord arteriovenous shunts. Clinical and neuroradiological follow-up is mandatory, especially for pediatric patients.