Background Torcular dural sinus malformations (tDSMs) with arteriovenous shunts are rare congenital intracranial vascular malformations that carry a high rate of neurologic impairment and death in the neonatal, infant and young pediatric population. Their impact on brain venous drainage, especially the deep venous system, is one of the key factors in the clinical prognosis and natural history of the disease. We describe our therapeutic strategy for tDSMs, disconnecting the reflux into the deep venous system by performing an endovascular straight sinus occlusion.

Methods Among all children with dural sinus malformations seen between 2002 and 2020, we retrospectively reviewed those with tDSM in whom straight sinus occlusion had been performed.

Results Our databank included nine patients with tDSM that were embolized. Mean age at the clinical onset was 8.9±9.6 months (min–max=0–31). Five patients presented a significant reflux in the straight sinus on digital subtraction angiography. Those patients were initially clinically worse (mean modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 3.8) than those who did not present with reflux (mean mRS 2.25), this reflux being responsible for intraventricular hemorrhage in three patients. The reflux was suppressed by transarterial embolization in one patient and by transvenous straight sinus occlusion in four patients. Staged endovascular treatment resulted in a complete cure in six patients without complications, and clinical improvement in all patients.

Conclusion Straight sinus occlusion is a feasible technique that needs to be considered in the treatment strategy for tDSM with deep venous reflux in order to avoid or minimize brain damage.