Background Although there were several clinical and experimental studies discussing the pathogenesis of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), the pathological process leading to intracranial DAVF so far remains unknown In this study, we investigated the expression of vascular growth factors in order to elucidate the possible role of these factors for the development of DAVF and to study the biological activity of this uncommon lesion Methods We examined the histological features, proliferative and angiogenic capacities of the tissue specimens obtained from 6 patients who underwent surgery at our institution Immunohistochemical staining for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptors Flk 1 and Flt 1, ephrin B2, MIB 1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was performed using standard immunohistochemical techniques Results A positive immunostaining was found for all antibodies studied except MIB 1, whereas nuclear endothelial expression of PCNA was observed in only 3/6 cases VEGF stained positive in all of the available specimens (6/6) Flk 1 showed a positive immunoreaction in only 2/6 cases and Flt 1 in 4/6 cases Ephrin B2 was expressed in the majority (5/6) of the cases Conclusions These results support the hypothesis that DAVFs might be acquired dynamic vascular malformations with low biological activity Vascular growth factors like VEGF and ephrin B2 might play a pivotal role in the formation of DAVF Background Although there were several clinical and experimental studies discuss the pathogenesis of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), the pathological process leading to intracranial DAVF so far remains unknown in this study, we investigated the expression of vascular growth factors in order to elucidate the possible role of these factors for the development of DAVF and to study the biological activity of this uncommon lesion Methods We examined the histological features, proliferative and angiogenic capacities of the tissue specimens obtained from 6 patients who underwent surgery at our institution Immunohistochemical staining for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its receptors Flk 1 and Flt 1, ephrin B2, MIB 1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was performed using standard immunohistochemical techniques. Results A positive immunostaining was found for all antibodies studied except MIB 1, PCNA was observed in only 3/6 Cases of VEGF stained positive in all of the available specimens (6/6) Flk 1 showed a positive immunoreaction in only 2/6 cases and Flt 1 in 4/6 cases Ephrin B2 was expressed in the majority (5/6) of the cases Conclusions These results support the hypothesis that DAVFs might be acquired dynamic vascular malformations with low biological activity Vascular growth factors like VEGF and ephrin B2 might play a pivotal role in the formation of DAVF