Abstract

Background: Spinal dural arteriovenous fi stulas (SDAVF) are acquired treatable lesions, occurring mainly in older adults, mostly men. Misdiagnosis, such as demyelinating disease or other conditions, is common.
Case Reports: We present here two patients with relapsing leg weakness. In the fi rst case myasthenia gravis or myopathy was the initial working diagnosis. In the second case, disk herniation or diabetic neuropathy was considered. A thorough neurological examination and specifi c workup diagnosed in
both spinal dural arteriovenous fi stulas. Both patients’ gait improved considerably after appropriate treatment.
Conclusions: These cases illustrate the need to early recognition of SDAVF to prevent irreversible neurological loss.

Keywords: spinal dural arteriovenous fistula, leg weakness, relapsing