Vertebral artery aneurysms and cervical arteriovenous fistulae in patients with neurofibromatosis 1

• Published in: Vascular Vol. 18; no. 3; p. 166
• Main Authors: Higa, Guillermo, Pacanowski, Jr, John P, Jeck, David T, Goshima, Kaoru R, León, Jr, Luis R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.06.2010
• Subjects: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aneurysm, Ruptured - complications; Aneurysm, Ruptured - diagnostic imaging; Aneurysm, Ruptured - therapy; Angiography, Digital Subtraction; Arteriovenous Fistula - complications; Arteriovenous Fistula - diagnostic imaging; Arteriovenous Fistula - therapy; Child; Embolization, Therapeutic; Female; Gastrostomy; Hematoma - etiology; Humans; Infant; Intubation, Intratracheal; Male; Middle Aged; Neurofibromatosis 1 - complications; Neurofibromatosis 1 - pathology; Respiratory Insufficiency - etiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tracheostomy; Treatment Outcome; Vertebral Artery - diagnostic imaging; Young Adult
• DOI: 10.2310/6670.2010.00032
• ISSN: 1708-5381

Vascular involvement in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) has been well described. However, the coexistence of NF1 with vertebral artery (VA) aneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) is a rare occurrence. A 60-year-old female with NF1 and other severe comorbidities presented with acute respiratory insufficiency caused by a ruptured large VA aneurysm and an associated AVF that required emergent intubation and eventual repair through endovascular techniques that resolved her symptoms. A detailed description of this case and a comprehensive review of the literature are also presented.