OBJECT: The goal of this study was to evaluate the obliteration rate of 
intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) in patients treated with 
stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and to compare obliteration rates between 
cavernous sinus (CS) and noncavernous sinus (NCS) DAVFs, and between DAVFs with 
and without cortical venous drainage (CVD).
METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed. The CS DAVFs 
and the NCS DAVFs were categorized using the Barrow and Borden classification 
systems, respectively. The DAVFs were also categorized by location and by the 
presence of CVD. Statistical analyses of pooled data were conducted to assess 
complete obliteration rates in CS and NCS DAVFs, and in DAVFs with and without 
CVD.
RESULTS: Nineteen studies were included, comprising 729 patients harboring 743 
DAVFs treated with SRS. The mean obliteration rate was 63% (95% CI 52.4%-73.6%). 
Complete obliteration for CS and NCS DAVFs was achieved in 73% and 58% of 
patients, respectively. No significant difference in obliteration rates between 
CS and NCS DAVFs was found (OR 1.72, 95% CI 0.66-4.46; p=0.27). Complete 
obliteration in DAVFs with and without CVD was observed in 56% and 75% of 
patients, respectively. A significantly higher obliteration rate was observed in 
DAVFs without CVD compared with DAVFs with CVD (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.07-5.28; 
p=0.03).
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with SRS offers favorable rates of DAVF obliteration with 
low complication rates. Patients harboring DAVFs that are refractory or not 
amenable to endovascular or surgical therapy may be safely and effectively 
treated using SRS.