Systemic immune-inflammation index in dural arteriovenous fistula: a feasible biomarker reflecting its clinical characteristics

The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), a marker of systemic inflammation, can be calculated using peripheral blood tests. Although the SII has been reported as a feasible biomarker in various cerebrovascular diseases, no studies have explored in dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). A retrospective cohort study was performed to test whether the SII reflects the clinical characteristics of DAVF and whether this index could serve as a feasible biomarker.

This study included 28 patients who underwent endovascular treatment (39 sessions) for DAVF between 2014 and 2023. The SII was calculated using the following formula: platelet count multiplied by neutrophil count divided by lymphocyte count. We investigated the correlation between the SII and various clinical characteristics of DAVF, including symptom manifestation, and digital subtraction angiography findings. Additionally, we compared pre- and post-endovascular treatment changes in the SII.

A significantly higher SII was observed in patients with multiple lesions, clinical symptoms (particularly aggressive symptoms), pseudophelebitic pattern (PPP), and sinus occlusion. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the presence of symptoms (coefficient 270.9, P = 0.021) and PPP (coefficient 272.4, P = 0.017) were independent factors contributing to SII elevation. Notably, following endovascular treatment, there was a significant decrease in the elevated SII in patients whose symptoms resolved (P = 0.039) and where the DAVF was angiographically cured (P = 0.012).

Elevation of the SII in patients with advanced DAVF and its decrease following endovascular treatment suggests that the SII reflects the disease condition and indicates its potential as a promising biomarker.