Dural arteriovenous fistula coexisting with a lumbar lipomeningocele. Case report.

Abstract

The authors describe the case of a 44-year-old woman who presented with recent onset of progressive paraparesis and bladder involvement; she had an asymptomatic lumbosacral lipomatous swelling that was present since birth. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of a lipomeningocele. It also revealed intramedullary hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and serpiginous flow voids suggestive of a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) at the same level; the lesion was confirmed by spinal angiography. Both lesions were surgically managed, and the patient subsequently experienced neurological improvement. The coexistence of a DAVF and a lipomeningocele at the same level is unusual and can lead to treatment failure if missed.