The vascular architecture characteristics of the complex direct cavernous sinus arteriovenous fistula and its interventional treatment / 介入放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the vascular architecture characteristics of the complex direct cavernous arteriovenous fistula (cd-CAVF) and to discuss its treatment and the curative effect of interventional embolization. Methods The hospitalization records, imaging features and operation records of 12 patients with cd-CAVF were retrospectively analyzed. Results In the 12 patients with cd-CAVF, the lesion’s blood supply arteries included internal carotid artery (ICA,n=8), primary trigeminal artery (PTA,n=1), middle cerebral artery (MMA,n=2) and basilar artery (BA,n=1). Different degrees of “arterial steal” phenomenon could be observed in all patients. The drainage routes included the superior ophthalmic vein and the inferior petrosal sinus (n=10), and cortical vein (n=2). Interventional embolization was carried out via ICA (n=4), through both ICA and BA (n=5), through MMA (n=2), or through BA (n=1). For the embolization of the lesion the balloons were used in 8 patients, steel coils were adopted in 2 patients, and balloons together with coils were employed in 2 patients. All the patients were followed up for 3-6 months. After the treatment the clinical symptoms and signs disappeared, and the lesions were completely cured in all patients with no complications. During the follow-up period of (60.2 ±26.8) months no recurrence of CAVF was observed. Conclusion The blood supply of cd-CAVF comes directly from the rupture of the blood vessels surrounding the cavernous sinus wall, the “arterial steal” phenomenon is prone to occur, and the drainage via the superior ophthalmic vein and the inferior petrosal sinus is more often seen. Transarterial balloon embolization is very effective for the treatment of cd-CAVF, and the use of coils together with multi-artery approaches is an effective supplementary method.