RESUMO
A 3-year-old child with a spinal cord direct arteriovenous fistula successfully treated by endovascular occlusion is presented. Intradural direct arteriovenous fistulae are the most infrequent variety of spinal arteriovenous malformations, although they are not properly identified as such in many published series. Whereas the exact mechanism by which they produce symptoms remains an unresolved issue--steal through fistula or compression by giant venous varices--the evolution of our case, with amelioration after partial occlusion, favors the former. Surgical resection of the thrombosed venous varix was not necessary. Endovascular occlusion proved to be a safe and effective form of treatment in this case of spinal intradural direct arteriovenous fistula, no additional treatment being necessary thereafter.