Skull Base 2008; 18(2): 135-143
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1003926
CASE REPORT

© Thieme Medical Publishers

Thrombophilia Due to Factor V and Factor II Mutations and Formation of a Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: Case Report and Review of a Rare Entity

Sam Safavi-Abbasi1 , 2 , Federico Di Rocco1 , Peter Nakaji2 , Guenther C. Feigl1 , Alireza Gharabaghi1 , Madjid Samii1 , Anton Valavanis1 , Amir Samii1
  • 1Department of Neurosurgery and Neuroradiology, International Neuroscience Institute, Hannover, Germany
  • 2Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona
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Publikationsdatum:
19. Dezember 2007 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Genetic mutations underlying thrombophilia are often recognized in patients with thromboembolic episodes. However, the clinical and therapeutic implications of such findings often remain unclear. We report the first case of a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) in a patient with a combined factor II and factor V Leiden mutation. A 40-year-old man presented with a large left temporal and intraventricular hemorrhage. An initial angiogram showed thrombosis of the left sigmoid sinus but no evidence of a vascular malformation. One year after the hemorrhage, an angiographic study showed the appearance of a right DAVF. During the follow-up period, the patient was found to harbor heterozygosity for a mutation of factor V and a mutation of factor II. Recognition of the patient's thrombophilia led to prolonged oral anticoagulation therapy to reduce the risk of a recurrent thrombotic episode. Despite the increased risk of bleeding, the therapy was considered justified. DAVFs may occur after sinus thrombosis in patients with combined factor II and factor V mutations. This observation indicates the association of multiple hematological disorders with DAVFs in individual patients. Moreover, it raises the clinical conundrum of how to manage patients with thrombophilia, intracranial hemorrhage, and DAVFs.

REFERENCES

Peter NakajiM.D. 

c/o Neuroscience Publications, Barrow Neurological Institute

350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013

eMail: neuropub@chw.edu