Endovascular trapping of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulae.

We describe an unconventional endovascular approach to the treatment of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas. Four patients with large high-flow shunts have been successfully treated by trapping of the fistula by using a combination of proximal balloon occlusion and distal coil embolization. The latter was achieved following retrograde catheterization of the distal parent vessel via the contralateral carotid or ipsilateral vertebral artery.