[Joint therapy of a dural arteriovenous fistula in the transverse-sigmoid sinus using surgical excision and direct sinus packing: a case report].

Combined therapy of direct sinus packing and surgical excision for intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) has not been reported in the literature. A 53-year-old male was admitted to our hospital due to sudden onset of seizure and consciousness disturbance. Plain CT scan showed subcortical hematoma in the right temporal lobe. Cerebral angiography revealed dAVF involved in the right transverse and sigmoid sinuses. The lesion was associated with retrograde venous drainage into the right cerebellum, temporal, and occipital lobes. Positron emission tomography (PET) showed typical findings of venous hypertension in the involved areas. MRI also demonstrated a high intensity lesion in the medulla oblongata, suggesting critical venous congestion. First, we aimed to pack the involved sinus through a minor craniotomy, but cannulation into the sinus was impossible probably because of a marked fibrosis in the involved sinus. Then, we completely exposed the involved sinus through craniotomy. Through a microcatheter inserted into the sinus, the lower part of the sigmoid sinus was directly packed, and the remaining lesion was excised. Postoperative course was uneventful. Disappearance of dAVF resolved the findings on PET and MRI. Combined therapy would be a safe, non-invasive, and useful option for patients with a complex intracranial dAVF.