Verification of bleeding points in carotid blowout syndrome using guidewire manipulation.

PURPOSE: Carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) is a catastrophic complication of aggressive treatment of head and neck cancer. Early detection of bleeding points with embolization is a life-saving procedure; however, some bleeding points may be difficult to identify. Our aim was to determine whether guidewire manipulation (GWM) could be used to verify bleeding point locations in patients with CBS. METHODS: Of the 92 patients with CBS referred for embolization in a 5-year period, 14 men and one woman (mean age 58 years) had bleeding points at locations that could not be definitely determined. We used GWM to verify the presence of these bleeding points. We assessed the anatomy of the ruptured arteries, technical details of GWM, and the angiographic and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Bleeding points were difficult to detect because of the presence of small arterial pouches (n = 6) or multiple small arterial pouches (n = 9) in the unilateral or bilateral carotid arteries. Bleeding point locations were accurately identified using GWM in the internal carotid artery (n = 7), carotid bulb (n = 4), or common carotid artery (n = 4). Balloon-assisted GWM was applied in one patient. Fiber coils (n = 15) and/or liquid adhesives (n = 2) were used to occlude the affected artery. Endovascular management was technically successful in all patients and resulted in immediate cessation of hemorrhage without recurrence in a mean 22-month clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION: GWM is a simple and effective method for verifying bleeding points in ruptured arteries and preventing erroneous occlusion by embolization.

Transvenous Coil Embolization of Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula on a Revised Classification.

BACKGROUND: Transvenous coil embolization is an effective method to manage cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CSDAVFs). However, some CSDAVFs may be associated with complex angioarchitecture, leading to difficult access. In this article we report our experience with coil embolization of CSDAVFs. METHODS: Over a 5-year period, 70 patients (24 men and 46 women; mean age, 60 years) underwent coil embolization of a total of 73 CSDAVFs at our institution. We retrospectively analyzed and categorized the CSDAVFs based on a revised classification scheme as proliferative type (PT), restrictive type (RT), or late restrictive type (LRT). Outcomes of embolization in each type were evaluated. RESULTS: Pial vein reflux was seen in 2 PT (10%), 10 RT (37%), and 15 LRT (60%) CSDAVFs (P = 0.005). Para-CS fistula components were found in 12 PT (57%), 1 RT (4%), and 0 LRT CSDAVFs. Mean coil length occlusion was 432 cm for PT, 275 cm for RT, and 106 cm for LRT (P < 0.001). Immediate cure was achieved in 12 PT (57%), 23 RT (85%), and 20 LRT (95%) (P = 0.001). No major periprocedural complications were associated with any CSDAVFs. The mean duration of clinical follow-up was 17 months. CONCLUSIONS: Embolization outcomes may depend on the type of CSDAVF. The PT fistulas needed longer coils to achieve better angiographic outcomes. Some LRT fistulas may be difficult to access, and less coil utilization may lead to total fistula occlusion.

Aggressive cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula: Angioarchitecture analysis and embolization by various approaches.

BACKGROUND: Most cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CSDAVFs) present with benign neuro-ophthalmic symptoms. CSDAVFs manifesting with aggressive neurologic symptoms are rare. The purpose of this study was to analyze the different angioarchitectures of aggressive CSDAVFs and to report our experiences of embolization. METHODS: Over the past 10 years, a total of 118 CSDAVFs were managed by embolization. From the databases containing such patient information, nine patients (7.6%) were found to have aggressive CSDAVFs presenting with neurologic deficits. There were seven women and two men, ranging in age from 51 years to 78 years (mean, 66 years). We retrospectively analyzed the angioarchitectures of aggressive CSDAVFs, further reviewing patient and angiographic as well clinical outcomes after embolization. RESULTS: The cause of clinically aggressive CSDAVFs was insufficient fistula drainage because of occlusion (n = 6) or stenosis (n = 1) of the inferior petrous sinus (IPS) or compartment of IPS-cavernous sinus (n = 2) with fistula flow reflux to the veins of brainstem (n = 7) leading to brainstem ischemia, while two fistula flow reflux to the cortical vein leading to cerebral infarction. Transvenous embolization via IPS to fistula was achieved in one case; six patients underwent transorbital access, while transarterial embolization was performed in two cases. Total fistula occlusion was achieved in eight CSDAVFs. All patients had total (n = 7) or partial (n = 2) resolution of their symptoms gradually within 6 months. One patient undergoing transarterial embolization had limb weakness because of inadvertent pial artery occlusion. Their overall mean clinical follow-up period was 17 months. CONCLUSION: Aggressive CSDAVFs are associated with occlusion/stenosis of the IPS or compartment of IPS-cavernous sinus with leptomeningeal reflux. In this limited case series, aggressive CSDAVFs most presented with brainstem ischemia, followed by nonhemorrhagic/hemorrhagic stroke in the cerebrum. Embolization through various access routes is a feasible method to manage these aggressive CSDAVFs, with an acceptable level of periprocedural risks.

Transvenous embolization of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula via angiographic occlusive inferior petrous sinus.

BACKGROUND: Trans-inferior petrous sinus (IPS) coil embolization is an efficient and safe method to manage cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CSDAVFs). However, some CSDAVFs may be associated with angiographic occlusive IPS making access difficult. The purpose of this study was to report our experience of transvenous embolization of the CSDAVF via angiographic occlusive IPS. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of 20 patients who underwent transvenous embolization via angiographic occlusive IPS over a 6 year period. The study consisted of seven men and 13 women, ranging from 46 years to 78 years of age (mean, 60 years). We retrospectively analyzed the angioarchitecture of the CSDAVFs, the procedural time and the angiographic as well as the clinical outcomes after embolization. RESULTS: True occlusive IPS was found in 13 of the patients, while patent IPS with compartment of the IPS-CS was demonstrated in the remaining seven patients. The microcatheter was successfully navigated to the fistula site of the CS in 16 patients (80%), while such navigation failed in four patients following numerous attempts. The mean procedural times for truly occlusive IPS and for compartment of the IPS-CS were 111 minutes and 129 minutes, respectively. No recurrent fistula was observed on follow-up neuroimages. Three patients had transient third or sixth cranial nerve palsy, and one patient had perforation of the IPS leading to temporary headache. The mean clinical follow-up period was 18 months. CONCLUSION: Angiographic occlusive IPS of CSDAVF may be related to true occlusion of IPS or patent IPS with compartment of the IPS-CS. There is no statistically significant difference in procedural times for these two different fistula anatomies. Transvenous embolization via angiographic occlusive IPS is a safe and effective method to manage CSDAVFs.

Anatomic Variation of Facial Vein in Carotid-Cavernous Fistula and Trans-Facial Vein Embolization.

OBJECTIVE: Trans-facial vein (FV) embolization via the internal jugular vein is an alternative approach to embolization of carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs). The purpose of this study is to report the anatomic variation of FVs and our experience of trans-FV embolization of CCFs. METHODS: Over 6 years, 26 patients (12 men and 14 women; age range 27-72 years old) with CCFs underwent trans-FV embolization because of anterior drainage of fistulas. We retrospectively analyzed angioarchitecture of the CCFs focusing on the anatomic variations of FVs and angiographic and clinical outcomes after embolization. RESULTS: FVs drained to the internal jugular vein in 10 (38%) cases; FVs unexpectedly emptied into the external jugular vein in 16 (62%) cases. All FVs entered into the internal jugular vein at the level of the hyoid bone. In cases with fistulas to the FV and EJV, the termination of FVs was variable including superior (n = 5), inferior (n = 1), or at the level of the hyoid bone (n = 10). Successful microcatheterization via different insertions of FVs to jugular veins was achieved in all cases. One patient had a small residual fistula, and 2 patients had fistula recurrence. Temporary impairment of cranial nerve III or VI occurred in 4 patients. The mean clinical follow-up time was 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: Trans-FV embolization is an effective and safe method to manage CCFs with anterior drainage. However, anatomic variations of the FV exist, and a careful work-up of fistula venous drainage before trans-FV embolization is essential to reduce erroneous attempts, procedure time, and periprocedural risk.