What is a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF)?How common is a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF)?Why does a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) develop?
A dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is a site of abnormal connectivity between arteries and veins, where the abnormal connection or fistula lies exclusively in the leathery covering of the brain or spinal cord known as the dura. Sometimes there may be one or more fistula in the same patient, the plural of fistula being fistulae. DAVF can occur in the brain or in the spinal cord: the former is referred to as a cranial DAVF; the latter is referred to as a spinal DAVF. A Cranial DAVF is supplied by branches of the carotid artery (external and internal carotid arteries) and possibly also by branches of the vertebral artery before these arteries penetrate the dura. The fistula usually resides in the convexity dura overlying the brain hemisphere or in the tentorial dura between the forebrain and hindbrain. Rarely, it lies in a deep region of the brain known as the cavernous sinus. There is usually a prominent “draining vein” that can be large and curving or tortuous leaving the fistula site
