Angiographic Changes in Venous Drainage of Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae after Palliative Transarterial Embolization or Observational Management: A Proposed Stage Classification

Abstract

In some cavernous sinus dAVFs with palliative transarterial embolization or observational management, there was a change in the venous drainage patterns, consisting of a decrease in the number of venous drainage routes. There was a trend for the posterior route to close before the anterior drainage or cortical drainage route. This suggests the occurrence of a staged progression in a regular direction in cavernous sinus dAVFs. Without treatment aiming at a complete cure, most cavernous sinus dAVFs can behave benignly, with a low possibility of development of cortical venous reflux during follow-up.