Step-by-step venous navigation in treatment of tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula supplied by artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari

Abstract

The artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari is a small infraclinoid branch of the internal carotid artery that originates from its cavernous segment and then runs along the tentorium. Because of its gracile appearance, it is often visible only when related to neoplasms and vascular lesions in the tentorial regions. ¹ Dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) are arteriovenous shunts contained within the dural leaflets, supplied largely by the regional meningeal arteries and classified based on the type of venous drainage. Tentorial dAVFs are mostly supplied by branches of the meningohypophyseal trunk, including the artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari. ² Unlike fistulas of other locations, tentorial fistulas are linked with a higher risk for venous hypertension and hemorrhage and thus demand immediate and appropriate treatment. ³ Digital subtraction angiography is necessary to understand its arterial and venous components. Treatment aims to achieve complete embolization of the fistulous connection and venous portions by either a transarterial or transvenous approach, without causing serious changes in the flow dynamics. ^{4, 5}