Advantage of Balloon Guide Catheter During Endovascular Treatment of Direct Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula: Technical Note and Report of 2 Cases.

BACKGROUND: As previous studies reported, the balloon guide catheter is useful for identifying the fistula point during diagnosis of direct carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (d-CCF). We demonstrate an additional advantage of the balloon guide catheter during intraarterial endovascular treatment of d-CCF. METHODS: Two cases of d-CCF are presented in this report. A balloon guide catheter is used to help achieve successful coil embolization of the fistula in both cases. RESULTS: Microcatheter positioning into the fistulous point can be easier after balloon inflation. Balloon inflation can help with coil deployment. CONCLUSIONS: Using a balloon guiding catheter can reduce internal carotid artery flow near the fistula point at the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery. As a result, better identification of the fistula point can be made, which allows easier placement of the microcatheter into the fistula point and more stable coil deployment.

Spontaneous Bilateral Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas Secondary to Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis.

Bilateral carotid cavernous fistulas are rare entities that can cause debilitating symptoms and can lead to more severe consequences if left untreated. Therefore, the recognition and adequate treatment of these pathologies is very important. We present 2 cases of bilateral carotid cavernous fistulas that arose as a result of cavernous sinus thrombosis. We review the literature and discuss the pathophysiology, symptomatology, management, and treatment of bilateral carotid cavernous fistulas. Within our own cases, treatment of the patients was varied. The patient in case 1 was successfully treated with endovascular therapy after a failed trial of anticoagulation. The patient in case 2 demonstrated resolution of bilateral carotid cavernous fistulas after anticoagulation therapy. Case 2 highlights the fact that certain cases of bilateral carotid cavernous fistulas due to cavernous sinus thrombosis may benefit from extensive anticoagulation therapy. If anticoagulation therapy is unsuccessful, endovascular therapy may prove beneficial in resolving the fistulous shunt.

Endovascular treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulae: Long-term efficacy and prognostic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Carotid-cavernous fistulae are rare and affect visual prognosis. Their clinical presentation is varied and delayed diagnosis is common. They require rapid neuro-radio-ophthalmologic management. PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and prognostic factors for treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas by embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients with direct (10/60, 17%) or indirect (50/60, 83%) carotid-cavernous fistulae suspected during ophthalmological examination underwent cerebral angiography from December 2003 to October 2013. Of these, 59 (59/60, 98%) patients were treated with embolization. Treatment response was assessed with a follow-up angiogram confirming the exclusion of the fistula, and clinically by resolution of the initial symptoms. RESULTS: The diagnosis was suspected on the basis of proptosis in 45 patients (45/60, 75%), corkscrew episcleral vessels in 38 patients (38/60, 63%), chemosis in 37 patients (37/60, 61%), and diplopia in 30 patients (30/60, 50%). The median delay in diagnosis was 5 ± 5 months [0.5 to 24 months], and mean follow-up was 31 ± 31.5 months [0.5-118 months]. Eighteen patients (18/60, 30%) were lost to follow-up. Clinical response was complete in 24 patients (24/42, 57%) and partial in 14 patients (14/42, 33.5%). Symptoms were stable in one patient (1/42, 2.5%) and worsened in 3 patients (3/42, 7%). Morbidity per procedure was 3.3% and there was no postoperative mortality. Forty patients (40/60, 67%) had radiological follow-up and 39 patients (39/40, 97.5%) had a complete exclusion of the fistula. The presence of diplopia on initial examination was more frequently associated with an incomplete cure (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: The combination of proptosis, corkscrew episcleral vessels and diplopia should rapidly lead to head imaging to search for a carotid-cavernous fistula. Fistula embolization is a safe and effective treatment. The presence of diplopia on initial examination may be associated with a poorer outcome (P=0.044).

Carotid cavernous sinus fistula presenting with pulsating exophthalmos and secondary glaucoma.

Carotid cavernous sinus fistula is abnormal communications between the carotid arterial system and the venous cavernous sinus. Carotid cavernous sinus fistula can develop either because of trauma or spontaneous causes. Spontaneous carotid cavernous sinus fistula is often associated with a pre-existing aneurysm in the intracavernous portion of internal carotid artery. However, these fistulas may be congenital arteriovenous connections that open spontaneously in the settings of collagen vascular disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, or may develop in females during peripartum period. A case of spontaneous carotid cavernous sinus fistula in a young adult male who presented with pulsating exophthalmos and secondary glaucoma is presented. Characteristic features of arteriovenous fistula--bruit, thrill, corkscrew episcleral vessels were present. Radiological investigations were done to confirm the diagnosis. Transvenous embolisation was done to close the fistula.