Transvenous embolization of carotid-cavernous sinus fistula associated with a primitive trigeminal artery--case report

A 58-year-old female presented with right conjunctival chemosis and right abducens nerve paresis. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a right carotid-cavernous sinus fistula associated with persistent primitive trigeminal artery. The fistula was treated by introducing detachable coils through the transvenous approach, as the detachable balloon was not available. Follow-up angiography performed 14 days after the embolization revealed complete disappearance of the carotid-cavernous sinus fistula due to thrombosis, which was presumably accelerated by the coils. Transvenous coil embolization should be considered as an alternative treatment for high-flow carotid-cavernous sinus fistula, but only if transarterial balloon embolization is not successful or unavailable.     

Bilateral traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulae: Strategies for endovascular treatment

Summary Background. Most traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula/e (TCCF) are unilateral, and simultaneous bilateral TCCF are uncommon. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the angiographic architecture of bilateral TCCF and report our experience with their endovascular management. Method. Over 15 years, 252 consecutive patients with TCCF were referred to our institute for endovascular treatment. Bilateral TCCF occurred in 5 men and 2 women with a mean age of 31 years. The angiographic architectures of bilateral TCCF were evaluated with cerebral angiography. All patients underwent a single session of transarterial embolisation by using various permanent embolic materials and were followed up clinically or with angiography for a mean of 22 months (range 9–36 months). Findings. All patients presented with neuro-ophthalmic symptoms and signs. No new instances of cerebrovascular ischemia or intracranial haematoma resulted from bilateral TCCF. All fistulae were associated with partial arterial steal and were successfully occluded by using a detachable balloon and/or a detachable coil with or without a liquid adhesive. Of 14 TCCF, 9 were completely obliterated with preserved flow of the internal carotid artery (ICA). In the other 5 fistulae, the ICA had to be sacrificed to achieve occlusion because the anatomy of the fistula was complex. All fistula related symptoms resolved immediately or gradually during clinical follow up. No clinically significant procedure related neurological complications or recurrent fistulae were observed. Conclusions. All bilateral TCCF were associated with a partial arterial steal phenomenon. Single session endovascular treatment using various embolic materials was effective in managing these high-flow fistulae. In all patients, it was possible to preserve one or both ICAs.     

Retrospective study on the endovascular embolization for traumatic carotid cavernous fistula

Objective： To retrospectively analyze 95 cases of traumatic carotid cavernous fistula treated by endovascular embolization. Methods： From January 1994 to December 2008, 95 patients with traumatic carotid cavernous fistula were treated in our hospital. All patients received selective cerebral angiography through femoral artery catheterization. Accordingly, 89 cases were treated by detachable balloon embolization, 5 by platinum microcoils and 1 by coveredstem, respectively. Results： In the study, 61 cases achieved successful balloon embolization at the first time. Fifty-six cases had multiple balloons due to the big fistula. Nine cases received balloon embolization twice. But among the 5 patients treated with platinum microcoils, one developed slight brainstem ischemia. After operation the patient had herniparesis and swallow difficulty, but gradually recovered 3 months later. No neurological deficits were observed in other cases. All the cases recovered. Eighty-five cases were followed up for 1-15 years and no recurrence was found. Conclusions： The endovascular embolization for traumatic carotid cavernous fistula is minimally invasive, safe, effective and reliable. The detachable balloon embolization is the first choice in the treatment of TCCF.     

Transarterial detachable coil embolization combined with ipsilateral intermittent carotid oppression for traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula with small fistula

One case of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (TCCF) with small fistula treated by transarterial detachable coil embolization was reported. The intermittent ipsilateral carotid compression was used to identify the final blocking of the residual fistula. The follow-up digital subtraction angiography showed that the TCCF was cured finally. From this case, we conclude that this method may be an effective way to treat TCCF with small fistula.     

A case of high flow CCF with congestive hemorrhage

The authors report a case of high flow CCF with intracerebral hemorrhage during treatment with endovascular coil embolization. A 52-year-old woman had been in good health until a sudden onset of orbital bruit and left orbital tinnitus occurred. Conjunctival chemosis and diplopia caused by left abducens palsy gradually progressed. Left internal carotid arteriography revealed a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula with direct high-flow shunt. The fistula drained into the superior orbital vein, inferior petrosal sinus, intercavernous sinus and sphenoparietal sinus with significant cortical reflux. The attempt at transarterial balloon occlusion failed. Then transvenous coil embolization was performed. During the course of endovascular treatment, follow up CT depicted intracerebral hemorrhage. Intracerebral hemorrhage was asymptomatic and thought to be caused by venous hypertension from cortical reflux. The patient underwent direct occlusion of the left sphenoparietal sinus for prevention of further hemorrhage via craniotomy. Lastly, the cavernous sinus was completely occluded by transvenous coil embolization. The signs and symptoms resolved 3 months after the procedures.     

外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的诊断与介入栓塞治疗（附4例报告）

[摘要]目的探讨外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的诊断和血管内治疗。方法对有头部外伤病史及典型临床表现的患者积极行数字减影血管造影（digitalsubtractionangiography,DSA）检查,有4例确诊后经股动脉入路,用可脱性球囊进行栓塞治疗。3例保持了患侧颈内动脉的通畅,1例行瘘口远近端的颈内动脉闭塞术;3例患者应用1个球囊,1例应用2个球囊。结果4例患者瘘I：1完全闭塞,临床症状缓解,1例于首次术后12h症状再发,再次行栓塞治疗后缓解痊愈。结论DSA检查是诊断颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的金标准;可脱性球囊栓塞治疗是颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的首选治疗方法。     

血管内治疗外伤性颈内动脉损伤

目的探讨血管内治疗对外伤性颈内动脉损伤的临床价值。方法16例外伤性颈内动脉损伤患者,经DSA造影证实为假性动脉瘤3例、岩部巨大蛇性动脉瘤及颈内动脉起始部动脉瘤各1例以及颈内动脉海绵窦瘘11例,分别采用可脱落球囊、电解可脱式弹簧圈（GDC）或带膜内支架对损伤部位进行动脉内栓塞治疗。结果对3例假性动脉瘤及1例岩部巨大蛇性动脉瘤患者以可脱落球囊闭塞患侧颈内动脉成功。9例颈内动脉海绵窦瘘（CCF）在保持颈内动脉通畅的情况下采用球囊成功栓塞瘘口,1例CCF予以GDC填塞海绵窦;其余1例CCF两次球囊栓塞均失败,但术后24h患侧凸眼明显回缩,间断按压患侧颈内动脉1周后患者临床症状和体征消失。1例颈内动脉起始部动脉瘤行带膜内支架成功植入,动脉瘤被旷置,颈内动脉保持通畅。结论血管内治疗是外伤性颈内动脉损伤安全有效的治疗方法。     

Endovascular Treatment of Transverse-Sigmoid Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Malformations Presenting as Pulsatile Tinnitus

Transverse-sigmoid sinus dural arteriovenous malformations (DAVM) are uncommon vascular lesions for which complete cure may be difficult to obtain. A wide variety of treatments for these lesions include observation, arterial compression, surgical resection, and endovascular embolization. We propose that transverse-sigmoid sinus DAVM can be completely cured by occluding the ipsilateral dural sinus with detachable balloon and Guglielmi detachable coils (GDC) coils before arterial feeder embolization with histoacryl. Three patients who presented with pulsatile tinnitus and normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies underwent angiography, which demonstrated transverse-sigmoid sinus DAVM. All three patients wer treated with retrograde transvenous sinus embolization with complete occlusion of the transverse-sigmoid sinus with detachable balloons and GDC coils with preservation of the vein of Labbé. Subsequently, the various feeders from the external carotid artery were embolized. The tentorial arteries arising from the ipsilateral internal carotid arteries were not embolized in any of the cases, which were still contributing to the DAVM. Complete cure with thrombosis of the tentorial branch of the internal carotid artery (ICA) was seen on follow-up angiogram 1 day after embolization in one patient and on 4-week and 6-week follow-up angiograms in the other two patients. Complete occlusion of the transverse sinus proximal to the vein of Labbé, in spite of incomplete arterial feeder embolization, can result in complete cure of the transversesinus dural AVF if adequate time is given for the remaining feeders to occlude, once the fistula is obliterated.     

Embolization for traumatic carotid cavernous sinus fistula using platinum coil]

We treated a patient with a traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) by embolization using a Tracker catheter and platinum coils by transarterial and transvenous approaches. A 65-year-old female sustained an injury in the right frontal region of the head in April, 1989. After 1 month, she was admitted to our hospital due to exophthalmos, congestion of the palpebral conjunctiva, ptosis, and a bruise in the right frontal region of the head. Right carotid angiography showed a CCF between the anterior ascending segment and the horizontal segment that drains into the superior ophthalmic vein, superior petrosal sinus and inferior petrosal sinus. To occlude the fistula, embolization was performed twice using platinum coils. In the first embolization, the cavernous sinus was approached transarterially and transvenously using a Tracker catheter system, and a total of 7 platinum coils were used for the embolization. The bruise disappeared immediately after embolization but recurred 3 days after the operation. Angiography demonstrated re-communication of the CCF. The second embolization was initially performed using a detachable balloon, but the balloon could not be passed through the fistula. Therefore, a Tracker catheter was advanced to the fistula transarterially and embolization was performed using 3 platinum coils. The fistula was occluded. Follow-up angiography after 1 year in August, 1990 showed complete occlusion of the fistula. The detachable balloon system was recently introduced in neurological and radiological departments, as a new surgical method for CCF. At present, this method is the first choice for CCF. However, the detachable balloon system presents some technical problems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Parent vessel Guglielmi detachable coil herniation during wide-necked aneurysm embolization: treatment with intracranial stent placement: two technical case reports

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Despite recent advances in technology, parent vessel coil herniation occasionally complicates successful Guglielmi detachable coil embolization, particularly in wide-necked aneurysms. We report endovascular stent deployment performed in two patients specifically to treat this complication. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Two patients underwent Guglielmi detachable coil embolization of cavernous segment aneurysms. Both developed coil herniation into the internal carotid artery. In one patient, the herniation occurred during the initial procedure; in the other, it was discovered in a delayed fashion during a follow-up examination for ocular symptoms. INTERVENTION: In both patients, endovascular stent deployment was performed to isolate the herniated portion of the coil from the internal carotid lumen. Follow-up angiography at 6 months demonstrated no aneurysm recanalization and no stenosis of the parent internal carotid artery in the stented region in either patient. CONCLUSION: The use of intraluminal stents has been reported to be a helpful technical adjunct to the conventional endovascular treatment of aneurysms and balloon angioplasty. One additional indication for the use of this technology is sequestering herniated coils from the lumen of the parent artery to reduce potential embolic or occlusive sequelae.     

Diagnosis and treatment of traumatic carotid cavernous fistula

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the diagnosis and management of traumatic carotid cavernous fistula (TCCF). METHODS: In all 15 patients with TCCF confirmed by angiography, 8 patients got early diagnosis and cure. With Seldinger technique adopted in the puncture of femoral artery, Magic 3 F-1.8 F BD catheters combining with balloon were used to embolize the fistula or the internal carotid artery. RESULTS: Early diagnosis and cure were achieved in 8 patients within one week and no sequelae occurred. Seven patients with delayed diagnosis who were cured beyond one week had some sequelae such as hypopsia in 5 cases, incomplete oculomotor paralyses in 3 and incomplete abducent paralyses in 2. Among all the 15 cases, the internal carotid artery was preserved in 12 cases accounting for 80%. Occluding the fistula with sacrifice of the internal carotid artery was performed in 3 cases and no repatency of the fistula occurred by following up beyond three months. CONCLUSIONS: The preferred therapy for TCCF is to occlude the fistula using detachable balloon. The diagnosis and treatment for TCCF can significantly reduce occurrence rate of the complications and sequelae.     

Angiographic classification for the selection of treatment of spontaneous carotid-cavernous sinus fistula

Sixteen cases of spontaneous carotid-cavernous sinus fistula treated in our clinic were angiographically classified into four types, based on the report by Barrow et al; Type A: direct shunts between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cavernous sinus (CS), Type B: dural shunts between meningeal branches of the ICA and the CS, Type C: dural shunts between meningeal branches of the external carotid artery (ECA) and the CS, type D: dural shunts between meningeal branches of both the ICA and ECA and the CS. Our fundamental modality of treatment for each type was described as follows; detachable balloon occlusion of fistula was performed for Type A immediately after the diagnosis was confirmed. On the other hand, conservative treatment was selected at first routinely for Type B, C and D with administration of hemostatic agents, control of the blood pressure and Matas test for a certain period. This selection was made because the latter three types sometimes showed a high rate of spontaneous regression of symptoms. Only when no improvement was obtained by conservative therapy with Type B, C and D, the following treatments were adopted respectively; Type B: irradiation----detachable balloon occlusion of fistula, Type C: embolization through ECA, Type D: embolization through ECA----irradiation.     

Transvenous balloon occlusion of the cavernous sinus: an alternative therapeutic choice for recurrent traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas

We report a case of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) that recurred some 9 years after carotid trapping. The recurrent CCF was accompanied by a huge aneurysmal dilatation of the cavernous sinus. Transarterial balloon occlusion of the proximal internal carotid artery failed to occlude the fistula completely because of collateral flow to the fistula. the fistula was completely occluded by a transvenous approach via the jugular vein and inferior petrosal sinus using detachable balloons. The transjugular-inferior petrosal approach to the cavernous sinus can be an alternative for the treatment of traumatic CCF when the transarterial approach has failed to occlude the cavernous sinus.     

Combined surgical and endovascular treatment of infected pseudoaneurysm after carotid endarterectomy. Case report

A 67-year-old male presented with a rare pseudoaneurysm caused by infection after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) performed for stenosis of the left internal carotid artery (ICA). Wound infection and recurrent bleeding from the operated ICA developed 1 month after surgery. Serial angiography showed that the post-CEA pseudoaneurysm gradually increased in size. The carotid balloon occlusion test revealed that the patient could not tolerate permanent ICA occlusion because of poorly developed collaterals. Direct surgical exposure of the aneurysm was impossible due to tight adhesion of the surrounding tissue, so common carotid to middle cerebral artery bypass using a radial artery graft was performed followed by ligation of the distal common carotid artery. Subsequently, retrograde blood flow from the ICA to the aneurysm was interrupted by embolization of the external carotid artery coil through the facial artery. Combined surgical and endovascular treatment is a therapeutic option for patients with post-CEA pseudoaneurysm, if either direct or endovascular surgery is unfeasible.     

Transarterial coil embolization of a carotid-cavernous fistula which occurred during stent angioplasty

Intracranial endovascular procedures are less invasive and relatively safe; however, these procedures do carry a risk of complications, such as thromboembolization, arterial injury, and vessel occlusion. We present a case of carotid-cavernous fistula development secondary to injury of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) during stent angioplasty and its treatment by transarterial coil embolization. Probable causes of this complication and its treatment method are discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of such a case.     

A case of posterior cerebral artery aneurysm associated with idiopathic bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion: case report

BACKGROUND: Aneurysms of the posterior circulation are challenging lesions to neurosurgeons, despite improvements in microsurgical techniques and advances in skull base approaches. We present a rare case of a posterior cerebral artery (PCA)-posterior communicating artery (PcomA) junction aneurysm associated with bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion successfully treated with an endovascular procedure. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 57-year-old female presented with sudden onset of severe headache and loss of consciousness. CT scan showed diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute hydrocephalus. The patient developed severe neurogenic pulmonary edema and shock. Although her neurogenic pulmonary edema did not resolve, she recovered from shock. However, her general condition was so critical and her vital signs so unstable, that direct surgery under general anesthesia was considered too risky. A cerebral angiogram showed complete occlusion of both internal carotid arteries without any Moyamoya vessels. A saccular aneurysm located at the right PCA-PcomA junction was seen. To obliterate the aneurysm and prevent rerupture, the patient underwent coil embolization via an endovascular approach under sedation with local anesthesia. The balloon remodeling technique was useful to prevent occlusion of parent arteries. Finally, four interlocking detachable coils (IDC) with a total length of 44 cm were used to completely obliterate the aneurysm using the balloon remodeling technique. The patient made a full recovery after treatment and the aneurysm remained obliterated 2 years after coil embolization. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the advantages of the endovascular approach for the patient in critical condition. We believe that this is the first report of a PCA-Pcom junction aneurysm associated with bilateral ICA occlusion without moyamoya disease.     

Carotid-cavernous fistula treatment with ethylene vinyl alcohol (onyx) exclusively through anterior venous approach

The type of venous drainage of a direct carotid-cavernous fistula is an important issue to consider for the endovascular therapeutic decision. In case of an inadequate posterior drainage associated with a good anterior drainage, the facial vein is a useful alternative. The exclusive embolization with ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH Onyx), arterial and/or venous via the internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion has been used successfully, in a few cases until now. Nevertheless, the use of this method through anterior transvenous approach has not been previously described. Presented here is the case of a 13-year-old female patient with left posttraumatic carotid-cavernous fistula, with predominant anterior drainage, as well as carrier of traumatic occlusion of the contralateral ICA. The treatment was by means of a transvenous approach with transient occlusion of the left ICA.     

Endovascular treatment of an internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm following transsphenoidal surgery. Case report

Internal carotid artery (ICA) pseudoaneurysm formation following transsphenoidal surgery is a rare but potentially lethal complication. Direct surgical repair with preservation of the ICA may be difficult. The feasibility of endovascular coil embolization with parent artery preservation for an iatrogenic ICA pseudoaneurysm is undefined. A 40-year-old man was referred to the authors' institution after identification of a pseudoaneurysm of the left ICA following transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary macroadenoma. The pseudoaneurysm was treated via an endovascular approach that included stent-assisted coil embolization of the lesion. Follow-up angiographic studies obtained 1 year later demonstrated complete occlusion of the aneurysm, and the patient remains asymptomatic. Stent-assisted coil embolization of this iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm was successful in achieving complete, angiographically confirmed aneurysm obliteration, with preservation of the ICA and short-term prevention of hemorrhage or carotidcavernous fistula. The endovascular method provided an effective, relatively low-risk treatment for this difficult lesion, and was an excellent alternative to direct surgical repair. Nonetheless, long-term follow-up review is required before definitive treatment recommendations can be made.     

Venous rupture during transvenous approach to a carotid-cavernous fistula. Case report

An attempt at transfemoral transarterial balloon occlusion of a high-flow spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula was unsuccessful because the carotid artery rent was too small for this approach. During a subsequent transvenous approach to the cavernous sinus through the jugular vein, the inferior petrosal sinus was perforated. A minor subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred before the tear could be sealed by the deposition of three Gianturco coils in the vein. The patient was taken to the operating room for emergency obliteration of the fistula and petrosal sinus in order to remove the risk of further hemorrhage. Under the guidance of intraoperative digital subtraction angiography, isobutyl-2-cyanoacrylate was injected directly into the surgically exposed cavernous sinus. Successful obliteration of the fistula was achieved with preservation of the carotid artery, and the angiography catheter was removed safely from the petrosal sinus. Although initially after surgery the patient had nearly complete ophthalmoplegia, at her 1-year follow-up examination she had normal ocular motility and visual acuity. The transvenous approach to the cavernous sinus and alternative methods of treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas are discussed.     

颈内动脉-海绵窦瘘的血管内治疗

目的探讨颈内动脉－海绵窦瘘的血管内治疗效果。方法回顾分析了１９９０年１月以来经血管内治疗的４３例（６０例次）颈内动脉－海绵窦瘘。男性３７例,女性６例。外伤性３９例,自发性４例。单纯闭塞瘘口３１例,颈内动脉闭塞１２例;颈内动脉通畅率７２．１％。结果治愈３９例（９０．７％）,好转４例（９．３％）,并发偏瘫１例（２．３％）。结论球囊栓塞应作为颈内动脉－海绵窦瘘首选疗法。