• S Tani, S Ikeuchi, Y Hata, and T Abe.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. tani@jikei.ac.jp
• Neurosurgery. 2001 Jan 1; 48 (1): 240-2.

ObjectiveRich and complicated vascular structures on the spinal cord often interfere with obliteration of a spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Vascular orientation during spinal AVM surgery is essential. The authors recently performed six consecutive spinal AVM surgeries in five patients (two with perimedullary AVMs, and three with dural arteriovenous fistulae) with the aid of intra-arterial injection of dye (indigo carmine).MethodsTwo representative cases are described. A microcatheter was placed preoperatively in the artery of interest. Subsequent to the exposure of the vascular complex, a 1-ml injection of indigo carmine (2 mg/ml) clearly demonstrated the feeding arteries and the draining veins around the AVM or dural arteriovenous fistula.ResultsOne patient had repeat surgery because of incomplete obliteration of the AVM owing to migration of the catheter. All patients, except one who had temporary postoperative deterioration and persistent neurological deficits, had good surgical outcomes, however. No apparent side effects caused by the dye were reported.ConclusionThe assistance system for spinal AVM surgery is easy and safe and can be applied in other surgical institutions.

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