Malformação vascular da medula cérvico-torácica diagnosticada pela angiografia de artéria intercostal tratamento cirúrgico Cervico-thoracic vascular malformation of the spinal cord diagnosed by selective arteriography: surgical treatment. A case report

• Main Authors: Oscar Fontenelle Filho, Glieb Avila Pereira, Pedro Angelo Andreioulo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABNEURO) 1971-09-01
• Series: Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X1971000300009
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227

<abstract language="eng">A case of vascular malformation on the cervico-thoracic level of spinal cord localized by selective spinal angiography is reported. The patient was treated surgically by ligadure of the "feeder" vessel. Following surgery the patient gradually improved and ten months later returned to his full activity. The diagnostic and surgical importance of spinal angiography and its contribution to the morphological study of the spinal cord vascular malformations is enphasized. Spinal angiography gives the most accurate information as to the size and extent of the malformation and also the precise location of the "feeder" vessels. Direct operation upon the spinal cord with removal or oblitations of vessels or ligadure of the feeder vessels are the best procedures. The advantages and limitations of both surgical methods are discussed. Total excision is best done under the operating microscope, being essential the use of the bipolar coagulator. The authors feel that the surgical results will be more impressive when spinal angiography will be easily available as to permit earlier diagnosis and surgery before the development of important neurological deficits.