Iatrogenic Middle Meningeal Arteriovenous Fistula During Embolization: Two Case Reports and Literature Review

Abstract

Objective Dural arteriovenous fistulae of the middle meningeal artery are rare. There are few reports of complications associated with endovascular therapy. This report describes two cases of iatrogenic middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula due to vascular injury sustained during endovascular treatment. Case description Case 1 was that of a 46-year-old woman. She was treated for an incidentally discovered dural arteriovenous fistula of the cerebellar tentorium by transarterial embolization. During the procedure, a middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula occurred because of vessel laceration by the forced advancement of the distal access catheter (DAC). After the intervention, she developed tinnitus. Follow-up angiography revealed a middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula. The fistula was treated by coil embolization of the affected middle meningeal artery. The second case was that of a 56-year-old woman who developed a middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula from the perforation caused by the microguidewire during tumor embolization. The fistula was treated by occluding the proximal segment of the affected artery with coils. Both patients were discharged without neurological complications after the endovascular procedures. Conclusion Endovascular surgeons should be aware of the possibility of middle meningeal arteriovenous fistula as a potential complication of endovascular procedures.

Keywords: Arteriovenous fistula; Embolization; Iatrogenic; Middle meningeal artery.