Background: Type 1 spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are dural fistulas which classically present due to progressive congestive myelopathy. Acute hemorrhage resulting in a spinal subdural hematoma is exceedingly rare with only three reported cases. Methods: This 46-year-old female experienced rapidly progressive paraplegia over several hours. There was no history of anti-coagulant use, trauma, fever, or infection. On examination, she had 0/5 in the lower extremities bilaterally and decreased sensation to pinprick below the T6 level on both sides. She also had loss of bowel and bladder control. MRI demonstrated evidence of an intra-dural extramedullary lesion located anteriorly causing significant compression on the spinal cord from T4 down to T7 level. Results: She underwent thoracic laminectomy from T4 – T7. After dural opening, a well organized sub-dural hematoma with significant mass effect on a distorted spinal cord was evacuated. Subsequently, a large abnormal artery leading into a dilated serpiginous vein on the dorsal aspect of spinal cord at the T7 level was visualized. Indocyanine green angiography confirmed our suspicion of a dural arteriovenous fistula which was disconnected. Conclusions: Type I spinal AVM in rare cases can present acutely as subdural hematoma and should be kept in the differential diagnosis for acute paraplegia.