Embolization treatment with detachable balloon for traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the main technical points of detachable balloon in management of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas (TCCF) and evaluate objectively the clinical outcome.Methods A total of 59 patients with TCCF were treated with detachable balloons,which involved 64 embolization procedures.Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 2 years. Results Forty-eight patients with TCCF (81％) were successfully occluded with patency of internal carotid artery.The rest 11 patients were obstructed in both the fistula and the internal carotid artery.Recurrent TCCF was found within three days after embolization in five patients (with a recurrence rate of 8％ ) who underwent further embolization,of whom one patient went blind after the procedtre and the eyesight showed no recovery even after another embolization with balloon for successful occlusion of the fistula; one patient presented with intracerebral hematoma at day 3 postoperatively and underwent emergency embolization again to occlude the internal carotid artery and fistula,with slight paralysis of the left limb. Conclusions Embolization of TCCF with detachable balloon is a reliable treatment,which is characterized by slight injury and high safety.However,the disease' s development should be strictly observed after the treatment.In the case of recurrence of symptoms,brain angiography and CT scanning should be rechecked timely and emergency treatment should be performed.