A case of dural arteriovenous fistula associated with subcortical and subdural hemorrhage

We encountered a case of dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in which a cortical venous drainage was successfully treated by direct surgery. A 68-year-old man complained of headache and visual disturbance. CT on admission revealed intracerebral hematoma in the left occipital lobe and subdural hemorrhage in the left temporooccipital region. Angiography showed dural AVF in the left occipital region, which was type IV classified by Cognard and a varix of the draining vein. We performed direct surgery to remove the hematoma and obliteration of the draining vein was observed 10 days after onset. Intraoperative angiography via the middle meningeal artery which fed the dural AVF was very useful in the identification of the dural AVF and the varix and also to certify the obliteration of the fistula. Postoperative angiography showed disappearance of dural AVF. The patient had a good clinical course. Early direct surgery in this type of dural AVF is necessary in order to prevent another hemorrhage from the varix.