Spinal arteriovenous malformation behave as 'shunts' with the arteries communicating directly with veins rather than through the capillary bed.
About 65% occur in the thoracolumbar region where they occur most often within either or both of the extradural or intradural compartment. Intramedullary (within the cord substance) lesions are uncommon.
The upper thoracic is affected slightly more frequently than the cervical region - 20% to 15%. Cervical AVM's usually arise from the anterior spinal artery and are intramedullary.
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