Concomitant spinal dural arteriovenous fistula and nodular fasciitis in an adolescent: case report

Background Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) usually occurs during the 4(th) to 6(th) decades of life, and adolescent SDAVF is rarely reported. SDAVF arising around a tumor is also rare, and reported tumors are mostly schwannoma and lipoma. Case presentation We reported a 16-year-old male presented with progressive weakness and numbness of lower limbs for 3 months. A SDAVF was found, which was fed by right radicular arteries from segmental artery at L2 level and drained retrogradely into perimedullary veins. A concomitant spinal extradural nodular fasciitis at right L1/L2 intervertebral foramen was also noted. The SDAVF was completely obliterated by endovascular treatment and the tumor was debulked. The patient recovered well after the procedures. Conclusions Our case report suggests SDAVF can occur in adolescent. The concomitant presence with a nodular fasciitis indicates that although it usually arises in subcutaneous tissue but can rarely form on the dura of spine.

Automated summary

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) occurring in adolescents is rare, and the concomitant presence with nodular fasciitis is even rarer.