History of spinal cord vascular malformations and their treatment

In this article, the history of spinal cord vascular malformations will be reviewed. Beginning with the first indentification in 1885, the progress in both understanding and treating these vascular malformations will be traced. Advances in diagnostic imaging and techniques for treatment, both microsurgical and endovascular, contributed to the present day classification, pathophysiology, and management of these complex, yet rare, problems.