Imaging of CSF-Venous Fistulas at the High and Low Ends of the Spine: Techniques and Case Examples

CSF-venous fistulas are a common cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Most CSF-venous fistulas occur in the thoracic spine, and recently described myelographic techniques have been primarily tailored to localize fistulas in this location.<sup>1 -4</sup> However, a small subset of CSF-venous fistulas can occur at the superior or inferior ends of the spine, ranging from the skull base to the sacrum. In this Video Article, we discuss modifications to decubitus myelography needed to safely and confidently diagnose CSF-venous fistulas at the extremes of the spine, including the skull base and sacrum.<sup>5 -7</sup> We also show unique case examples of these relatively uncommon leaks, which were found using decubitus digital subtraction or CT myelography with simple technical modifications.

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Publication Details

Journal
American Journal of Neuroradiology
Published
2026-02-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.a9058
Primary Topic
Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications
Type
article
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article

Imaging of CSF-Venous Fistulas at the High and Low Ends of the Spine: Techniques and Case Examples

Ajay Madhavan, Michelle L. Kodet, Thien Huynh, Marcel M. Maya et al.
American Journal of Neuroradiology
Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications
article

Imaging of CSF-Venous Fistulas at the High and Low Ends of the Spine: Techniques and Case Examples

Ajay Madhavan, Michelle L. Kodet, Thien Huynh, Marcel M. Maya, Wouter I. Schievink
article en

Abstract

CSF-venous fistulas are a common cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Most CSF-venous fistulas occur in the thoracic spine, and recently described myelographic techniques have been primarily tailored to localize fistulas in this location.<sup>1 -4</sup> However, a small subset of CSF-venous fistulas can occur at the superior or inferior ends of the spine, ranging from the skull base to the sacrum. In this Video Article, we discuss modifications to decubitus myelography needed to safely and confidently diagnose CSF-venous fistulas at the extremes of the spine, including the skull base and sacrum.<sup>5 -7</sup> We also show unique case examples of these relatively uncommon leaks, which were found using decubitus digital subtraction or CT myelography with simple technical modifications.

American Journal of NeuroradiologyVol. 47(3)
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (US), Mayo Clinic (US), Jacksonville College (US), Mayo Clinic in Arizona (US), Duke Medical Center (US), Mayo Clinic in Florida (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 61%
Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications
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