Classification and pathophysiology of spinal vascular malformations

Spinal arteriovenous malformations and fistulas comprise spinal vascular malformations (sVMs), a rare but challenging neurosurgic entity. A number of mechanisms have been proposed as explanations of neurologic decline in the setting of arteriovenous shunting, including venous hypertension, venous congestion, hemorrhage, vascular steal, or mass effect, which can be worsened with venous varices or aneurysmal dilations. Anatomic location and features dictate the categorization of sVMs. Two major systems are in place for classification of sVMs – (1) the American/French/English connection and (2) the Spetzler system – as well as a number of systems that have been described over the past century.