Dural arteriovenous fistula in the anterior cranial fossa: four case reports.

ABSTRACT

Three of 4 cases of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) in the anterior cranial fossa were detected incidentally by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and one case manifested as intracerebral hemorrhage. Cerebral angiography revealed fistulas located in the anterior cranial fossa. Three patients underwent surgery, and the fistulas were successfully obliterated. One patient with nonruptured DAVF requested conservative medical management. Incidental detection of asymptomatic or nonruptured DAVFs in the anterior cranial fossa has increased with the wider use of MR imaging. Increase in the size of a venous varix is the indicator for aggressive therapeutic intervention in a patient receiving conservative medical management for asymptomatic or nonruptured DAVFs in the anterior cranial fossa.