Ruptured aneurysm of the anomalous cerebellar artery originating from internal carotid artery presenting with carotid cavernous fistula: a case report

We report a case of a ruptured aneurysm of the anomalous cerebellar artery originating from internal carotid artery presenting with a carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). An initial angiogram showed the typical appearance of a CCF with a direct fistulous tract with focal aneurysmal dilation from the ascending cavernous segment of the right internal carotid artery. A postembolization angiogram of the right internal carotid disclosed the anomalous cerebellar artery originating from the fistula point of the internal carotid artery.     

Transvenous coil treatment of a type a carotid cavernous fistula in association with transarterial trispan coil protection

A recently developed neck-bridging device (TriSpan; Target Therapeutics/Boston Scientific, Fremont, CA) was used to prevent coil migration into the internal carotid artery during transvenous occlusion of a high-flow, large-tear carotid cavernous fistula.     

Transcatheter Closure of a Chronic Iatrogenic Arteriovenous Fistula Between the Carotid Artery and the Brachiocephalic Vein with an Amplatzer Duct Occluder in Combination with a Carotid Stent

We report an original method of transcatheter closure of an arteriovenous fistula using the combination of an Amplatzer PDA occluder and a carotid stent. The fistula was between the left carotid artery and the brachiocephalic vein. The patient had significant left-to-right shunt and was highly symptomatic. Due to the large orifice and pseudoaneurysmatic enlargement of the fistula, we had to use a large Amplatzer PDA occluder and the protruding part of the PDA device disk had to be covered with a carotid stent. The fistula was completely closed. The patient stopped having symptoms and, 2 years after the procedure, the effect persists.     

Management of a rare complication of endovascular treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistula.

A 30-year-old woman with direct carotid cavernous fistula underwent endovascular treatment with detachable balloons via a transarterial route. The patient returned with diplopia 1 year after therapy. On cranial MR imaging, one of the balloons was detected in the proximal portion of the superior ophthalmic vein and was deflated percutaneously with a 22-gauge Chiba needle under CT guidance. The patient's symptoms resolved after balloon deflation. This case report presents a unique complication of endovascular treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistula and its management.     

Intracranial arteriovenous fistula caused by endovascular stent-grafting and dilatation

A 58-year-old man developed a self-occluding arteriovenous fistula following stent-grafting of the right internal carotid artery (ICA). Due to prolonged ischaemic neurological deficits carotid angiography had been performed 3 weeks previously. It revealed marked atherosclerotic lesions predominantly narrowing the distal right carotid siphon. MRI confirmed ischaemic lesions and massive deficits of perfusion in the right ICA cerebral territory. Stent-grafting was performed successfully, but subsequent angiography revealed a new arteriovenous fistula adjacent to the stent, between the right carotid siphon and the cavernous sinus. On angiography 10 days later, the fistula no longer was present, and flow MRI were normal; the patient was by then asymptomatic. Arteriovenous fistula can thus complicate following endovascular stenting.     

Treatment of a recurrent traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula: Vertebro-basilar approach after surgical occlusion of the internal carotid artery

Summary A case of a post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula treated by endovascular approach through the vertebrobasilar system is reported. The 16 year old female patient was hurt in a car accident. The instantly-occuring carotid-cavernous fistula was treated with a Fogarty catheter, the internal carotid artery being occluded during this procedure. Ten years later the fistula recurred with a predominantly cortical venous drainage. The fistula was closed with two detachable balloons by an endovascular approach from the vertebrobasilar system via the posterior communicating artery. The small residual fistula, fed by the external artery was occluded by a venous approach via the internal jugular.     

Treatment of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula using detachable balloon catheters

The goal of therapy in patients with traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas is to occlude the fistula, preferably while maintaining the carotid blood flow. Surgical techniques that treat the fistula remote from the cavernous sinus often cannot maintain carotid patency. Various interventional techniques using detachable balloons have been developed. The most common technique uses the endarterial route, introducing the balloon catheter in the neck or the groin. If the balloon is detached in the cavernous sinus, the carotid blood flow will be preserved. A second approach uses the venous retrograde route through the jugular vein, inferior petrosal sinus, and cavernous sinus. Elegant and safe, this method is appropriate when the fistula drains posteriorly. A third approach involves surgical exposure of the cavernous sinus and direct introduction of the balloon. This is sometimes the only recourse when the fistula has been previously treated with internal carotid ligation.     

Regression of an internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm after therapeutic embolization of a post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula secondary to gunshot injury

Summary A case is reported of a 53-year-old woman who was hit by a bullet which penetrated the skull base and caused a left carotid-cavernous fistula of the direct type and a pseudoaneurysmal dilation of the high cervical portion of the left internal carotid artery. The fistula was succesfully embolized by positioning a balloon into the fistula itself by means of the Debrun technique: unexpectedly the size of the pseudoaneurysm decreased after the embolization; the possible explanations for this event are discussed.     

Transvenous embolization of a direct carotid cavernous fistula through the pterygoid plexus

Closure of a direct carotid cavernous fistula with detachable coils by transpterygoid venous approach to the cavernous sinus is an alternative technique that may be applied in cases in which other techniques offer increased risk or in which other techniques have failed. In this case report, we present the details of the management of a direct carotid cavernous fistula by this method.     

Successful embolization of a fistula between the ascending pharyngeal artery and internal jugular vein

Summary The case of a fistula between the ascending pharyngeal artery and internal jugular vein in a patient with a high jugular bulb is presented. The lesion was missed by selective internal and external carotid angiography due to technical reasons, but was well demonstrated by common carotid and subsequent superselective ascending pharyngeal angiography. A single Gelfoam embolus soaked in Pantopaque obliterated the lesion.     

Carotid cavernous fistula: embolization via a bilateral superior ophthalmic vein approach

We report the case of a 74-year-old woman with a complex indirect (Barrow D) carotid cavernous sinus fistula. The patient was treated incrementally and finally cured by a rarely reported bilateral retrograde direct transvenous approach via the superior ophthalmic vein. The treatment of the complex carotid cavernous fistula with multiple bilateral fistula points showed additional complexity due to a partially thrombosed left superior ophthalmic vein, which required a combined microsurgical and endovascular treatment, showing that treatment can be achieved, if necessary, by catheterization of a thrombosed orbital vein.     

Cavernous carotid origin aneurysm rupture with intracerebral intraparenchymal hemorrhage after treatment of a traumatic Barrow type A cavernous carotid artery fistula

This case report demonstrates delayed rupture of a cavernous carotid fistula and aneurysm into the temporal lobe 12 years after treating a direct cavernous carotid artery fistula using detachable silicon balloons. The ultimate treatment was performed using arterial endovascular sacrifice. Successful treatment of cavernous carotid fistulas may ultimately lead to formation of cavernous aneurysms. Although these lesions rarely cause intraparenchymal hemorrhage, the risk for such an event must be taken into consideration when patients are treated for the initial lesion.     

Treatment of a direct carotid-cavernous fistula in a patient with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a novel approach

We report a case of a 34-year-old female with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosed with a carotid cavernous fistula presenting with progressive proptosis. Endovascular embolization using balloons or coils carries a high risk of complications in this group of patients, owing to the extreme fragility of the blood vessels. Initial treatment was conservative until an intracerebral haemorrhage occurred. To avoid transfemoral angiography, the ipsilateral carotid arteries and the internal jugular vein were surgically exposed for insertion of two endovascular sheaths. The patient was transferred from theatre to the angiography suite and the sheaths were used for embolization access. The fistula was closed, with preservation of the carotid artery, using Guglielmi detachable coils deployed in the cavernous sinus from the arterial and venous sides. Rapid resolution of symptoms and signs followed, which was sustained at 6-month follow-up. This technique offers alternative access for endovascular treatment, which may reduce the high incidence of mortality associated with catheter angiography in this condition.     

Experimental ovine model of primary venous valve incompetence: a pilot study

PURPOSE: To compare two techniques used to create a larger animal model of venous valve incompetence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To achieve vein dilatation as the primary cause of valve incompetence, common carotid jugular vein (JV) fistulas were created and optional filters were placed into the JV of sheep. Altogether, nine inferior vena cava filters were placed in three sheep in two stages. Six filters were placed caudal to the most caudal JV valve in three sheep and removed 6 weeks later. Then, three filters were placed across the most caudal valve in two sheep with competent valves and removed 3 weeks later. A common carotid artery-JV fistula was created in three sheep and followed-up for 1-3 weeks. Ascending and descending venograms were obtained to determine the JV sizes and function of their valves. The JVs removed at necropsy were studied with venoscopy. RESULTS: Only one of the six JVs with filters caudal to the most caudal valve had incompetent valves after filter removal at 6 weeks. In addition, only one of three JVs with the filter across the valve had incompetent valves after filter removal at 3 weeks. At 1-3-week follow-up of the group with common carotid artery-JV fistula, all three JVs had incompetent valves in the cephalad vein portion, but only one JV had an incompetent valve in its caudal portion. At venoscopy, the incompetent valves showed various degrees of damage ranging from shortening to the destruction of valve leaflets. CONCLUSION: Dilation of the valve annulus with a removable vena cava filter failed to produce valve incompetence. The promising results with the common carotid artery-JV fistula justify further detailed research.     

Treatment of external carotid arteriovenous fistula with detachable balloon

Summary A simple fistula between the external carotid artery and the internal jugular vein was treated for the first time using Debrun's technique with a detachable balloon catheter. The nature of the fistulous connection makes the release of the balloon inflated with silicone completely harmless. The occlusion of the fistula, while maintaining the patency of the remaining branches of the external carotid artery, proves this technique to be the most appropriate for the treatment of arteriovenous fistulae in the neck.     

Embolisation of both fistulae through the same carotid artery tear in a patient with bilateral traumatic caroticocavernous fistulae

Endovascular treatment of traumatic caroticocavernous fistulae (CCF) may present technical difficulties with specific angiographic dilemmas. We report endovascular techniques used in a patient with bilateral post-traumatic CCF, high-flow on one side, and slow-flow on the other. Complete closure of both was achieved through the same carotid artery tear. To our knowledge, transarterial venous coil embolisation of a low-flow fistula through a contralateral carotid artery tear, with transarterial detachable balloon embolisation of the ipsilateral high-flow fistula has not been described previously.     

Endovascular treatment of high-flow carotid cavernous fistulas by stent-assisted coil placement

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular techniques are the methods of choice for the treatment of patients with carotid cavernous fistulas. We report our experience using stent-assisted coil placement for treatment of patients with high-flow fistulas that are associated with severe laceration of the internal carotid artery. METHODS: In a retrospective review of an internal endovascular therapy database covering the interval between October 2001 and October 2003, we identified a total of 5 patients presenting with 6 high-flow type A carotid cavernous fistulas (one had a bilateral fistula) that were associated with severe laceration of the internal carotid artery. All were treated first with stenting of the injured segment of the internal carotid artery followed by transarterial (3/6) and/or transvenous (4/6) obliteration of the fistula with detachable platinum coils. In 2 cases, a liquid adhesive was also used. In all instances, a compliant balloon was inflated within the stented arterial segment during coil deposition to avoid extension of coils into the parent artery. RESULTS: All 6 fistulas were obliterated, and each internal carotid artery was successfully reconstructed. Except for posttraumatic cranial nerve dysfunction in 1 patient, clinical outcome was very good. Follow-up angiograms in 3 of the 6 patients obtained at intervals between 3 and 6 months (mean, 4.5 months) revealed no fistula recurrence and no evidence of intimal hyperplasia within the stent. CONCLUSION: In this series of patients with high-flow carotid cavernous fistula associated with severe injury to the internal carotid artery, stent-assisted coil placement offered a safe and effective treatment. Stent-assisted coil placement may increase the ability to successfully treat fistulas with severe injury to the internal carotid artery with preservation of the parent artery.     

可脱球囊治疗外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘

目的：研究外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的栓塞治疗。材料与方法：本文对5例外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘患者施行了血管内介入栓塞术。所有患者均于手术前行Matas试验。结果：4例患者经可脱球囊栓塞术治疗，颈内动脉海绵瘘消失，颈内动脉保持通畅，颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的临床综合征于治疗后消失。1例由于瘘口较大，球囊不能完整闭塞瘘口，因该患者健侧颈内动脉代偿供应患侧的能力差，故无法栓塞患侧颈内动脉，栓塞术后该患者临床症状及体征有所改善但未能完全消除。结论：栓塞治疗对于外伤性预内动脉海绵窦瘘是一种有效治疗方法。     

Control of hemorrhage from a common carotid arterial-cutaneous fistula by temporary implantation of a balloon catheter.

Hemorrhage from an infected carotid arterial-cutaneous fistula was treated by occlusion of the common carotid artery with a 6-French (Swan-Ganz) balloon catheter. After nine months, there was no recurrence of bleeding or neurological sequelae. Temporary balloon occlusion to induce thrombosis of a major artery is an alternative to transcatheter embolization of small particulate material and larger foreign bodies.     

Superior petrosal sinus catheterization for transvenous embolization of a dural carotid cavernous sinus fistula

We report the endovascular treatment of a dural carotid cavernous fistula in a 67-year-old woman in whom superior petrosal sinus catheterization was performed to access the venous site of the fistula. To our knowledge, this retrograde venous route via the superior petrosal sinus has not been previously described.