Brainstem Venous Congestion Due to Transverse-sigmoid Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: Case Report and Literature Review

Brainstem venous congestion due to dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) can mimic brainstem glioma and infarction. We report a case of a 56-year-old woman with a transverse-sigmoid sinus (TS) dAVF. On MRI, she presented with brainstem edema that was difficult to distinguish from brainstem glioma and infarction. She was referred to our hospital for mild dysarthria with right hemiparesis and a suspected left pontine glioma. On MRI, contrast enhancement of the lesion was demarcated by the pontine raphe, and the ipsilateral vein of Rosenthal was dilated. Cerebral angiography revealed TS dAVF with an isolated sinus. Transarterial followed by transvenous coil embolization was performed to reduce shunt flow, resulting in symptom improvement and normal findings on MRI and cerebral angiography. Brainstem venous congestion due to TS dAVF is as rare as adult brainstem glioma. Differentiating the above-mentioned three diseases on the basis of diagnostic imaging findings and clinical course is necessary for appropriate and timely treatment.