Subtemporal transdural use of detachable balloons for traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas

Endovascular use of detachable balloons has revolutionized the management of carotid-cavernous fistulas so that the goals of angiographic elimination of fistula and preservation of carotid patency can usually be achieved nonsurgically. Certain circumstances of flow dynamics and anatomy, however, make an endovascular approach difficult for even an experienced interventional neuroradiologist. Fistulas involving the posterior carotid wall at its proximal cavernous entry and the anterior carotid wall in its initial horizontal intracavernous segment, as well as very low flow fistulas at other sites, have posed particular problems. Three patients with such traumatic fistulas whose endovascular treatment failed were managed by the direct transdural introduction of balloons. Intraoperative angiography was accomplished with open internal carotid artery (ICA) catheterization and the use of a portable C-arm with a 6-in. image intensifier. After temporal craniectomy and subtemporal exposure, the course of the cavernous ICA was mapped out with spinal needles and the site of the fistula was localized by intraoperative angiography. An incision was then made in the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, and latex balloons were manually introduced via a 7 French introducer sheath. The balloons were inflated under angiographic control and detached when the fistula was obliterated. This simple technique was initially successful in three patients; the fistula was eliminated with preservation of carotid patency. One patient suffered a recurrence of his fistula 2 months postoperatively while lifting weights, and one patient developed a new 3rd nerve palsy after operation.     

Embolization of arteriovenous fistulas and aneurysms with detachable balloons

The authors describe their technique of embolization, using detachable balloons to produce endovascular occlusion in three patients with multiple pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas and in one patient with a large peripheral aneurysm. The results were satisfactory. The clinical presentation and treatment course in each of the four patients are described and the role of this form of therapy is discussed. This method of endovascular occlusion is particularly appropriate for treating pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas and aneurysms because placement of the balloon is precise, permanent and localized and the flow of the balloon in the fistula or aneurysm can be directed.     

Treatment of traumatic renal arteriovenous fistulas by detachable silicone balloon embolization.

A new technique of detachable balloon arterial embolization allowed non-operative occlusion of 2 patients with post-traumatic arteriovenous fistulas in the kidney. This approach was successful in controlling hemorrhage with minimal loss of renal tissue.     

Treatment of 54 traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas

A series of 54 traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas has been treated with detachable balloon catheters. The balloon was introduced through one of three different approaches: the endarterial route; the venous route through the jugular vein, the inferior petrosal sinus, and the cavernous sinus; or surgical exposure of the cavernous sinus; with occlusion of the fistula by a detachable balloon directly positioned in the cavernous sinus. Full follow-up review demonstrated that the carotid blood flow was preserved in 59% of cases. The most frequent complication was a transient oculomotor nerve palsy, which occurred in 20% of cases. In three cases where both the fistula and the carotid artery were originally occluded by the balloon, the superior portion of the fistula was later found not to be completely occluded, and these patients had intracranial ligation of the supraclinoid portion of the carotid artery. Three patients had hemiparesis, transient in two cases and permanent in the other. The results show that the fistula was totally occluded in 53 cases; in the one exception the patient became asymptomatic but had a minimal angiographic leak.     

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.     

经动脉栓塞治疗颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的疗效

目的分析颈内动脉海绵窦瘘患者经动脉栓塞治疗的疗效。方法回顾性分析我院经动脉栓塞治疗的52例颈内动脉海绵窦瘘患者资料,分析其治疗的成功率、复发率及并发症,并随访其短期及长期疗效。结果 52例患者中,48例(48/52,92.31%)栓塞成功,4例栓塞失败后行外科手术治疗。48例栓塞成功患者中,41例(41/48,85.42%)成功闭塞瘘口且保持颈内动脉通畅。4例(4/52,7.69%)术后复发,分别经压颈、球囊、液态胶栓塞及闭塞颈动脉的方法治疗成功。44例无复发患者短期内所有患者眼部症状缓解,长期随访中无复发病例。结论经动脉栓塞治疗颈内动脉海绵窦瘘成功率高、复发率低,并发症少。可脱球囊栓塞为其首选方法,辅以弹簧圈、液态胶栓塞,其短期及长期疗效均可肯定。     

Prognostic analysis and complications of traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas after treatment with detachable balloon and／or coil embolization

Objective : To explore the causes of the formation of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas and the therapeutic effect of detachable balloon and/or coil embolization and the prevention of its complications. Methods: From October, 1992 to March, 2002, 17 patients with traumatic carotid-cavernons fistulas were treated with detachable balloon and/or coil embolization in our hospital. The clinical data and imaging features of CT, MR and selective angiogram of these patients were analyzed. Results : One week after treatment with embolization, the clinical symptoms of the 17 patients were remitted, and optic cacophony, nystagmns, exophthalmos and dropsy of conjunctiva disappeared. Two patients manifested surgical complications, one patient died. Sixteen patients survived. They were all followed up for more than 2 years, which showed one patient had handicap in movement, and in one patient the signs and symptoms of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas reoccurred 2 months after treatment. Conclusions: The detachable balloon and/or coil embolization is safe and reliable. It is a good method to treat traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas.     

Endovascular treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas: review of 12 cases.

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are an uncommon pathology in current neurosurgical practice. Furthermore, they generally present a challenge to the neurosurgeon because of both their deep location and the major neurovascular structures that surround them. CCFs consist of a vascular anomaly in which blood flows from meningeal branches of the internal and external carotid arteries, or directly from the internal carotid artery, into the venous circulation around and in the cavernous sinus. Twelve patients with direct and indirect/dural CCFs who underwent examination and treatment between July 2003 and February 2006 are reported here. All patients of this retrospective evaluation were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis, which was confirmed by cerebral angiography. The patients were treated by endovascular approaches and the CCFs were occluded. From our evaluation, we concluded that the endovascular procedure is safe, effective and minimally invasive in patients with CCF.     

Bilateral spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas treated by the detachable balloon technique: case report

This report describes the case of a 39-year-old woman with bilateral spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas that were treated successfully by the detachable balloon technique. The clinical features and management are reviewed.     

颅内动脉瘤的血管内栓塞治疗

目的探讨应用电解可脱性弹簧圈(GDC)栓塞治疗颅内动脉瘤的临床效果。方法2002年6月-2004年6月我们采用GDC栓塞颅内动脉瘤126例(其中4例有2个动脉瘤,共130个)。前交通动脉瘤42个,后交通动脉瘤53个,颈内动脉瘤6个,大脑中动脉瘤10个,大脑后动脉瘤8个,大脑前动脉瘤6个,小脑后下动脉瘤2个;基底动脉瘤3个。按Hunt-Hess分级:Ⅰ级38例,Ⅱ级54例,Ⅲ级23例,Ⅳ级11例。必要时辅以篮筐技术、重塑技术、支架技术、双微导管或连环技术、蚕食技术。结果成功栓塞126例动脉瘤,其中103例为100%栓塞,21例为95%,2例为90%。12例在栓塞后6~18个月进行造影随访,所栓塞动脉瘤均未见复发征象。结论GDC栓塞颅内动脉瘤是安全、有效和微创的治疗手段。联合运用多种栓塞技术有助于减少术后并发症,提高治愈率。     

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.     

Endovascular treatment of traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm with stenting and coil embolization

Posttraumatic internal carotid pseudoaneurysm is an infrequent but potentially life-threatening condition that complicates approximately one-third of blunt carotid injuries. Other types of injuries include dissection, thrombosis, and complete disruption. Historically, carotid pseudoaneurysms have been managed operatively with repair, ligation, and anticoagulation, with percutaneous angioplasty and stenting emerging over the past decade. We present the case of a 19-year-old patient with a posttraumatic internal carotid pseudoaneurysm that increased in size with conservative management and was treated with coil embolization and stenting.     

Endovascular treatment of traumatic arterio-venous fistulas of the vertebral artery

Cervical vertebral artery fistulas are rare arteriovenous malformations between the vertebral artery and veins of the neighbourhood. The etiology of the fistulas may be traumatic or spontaneous. Management and the results in two patients with large arterio-venous fistulas of the cervical vertebral artery with severe deterioration of spinal function by using the detachable balloon technique are discussed. Complete angiographic and clinical cure was achieved in both patients and no complications related to the embolization procedure occured. The detachable balloon technique is an effective method for selective occlusion of the fistula. Good radiographic monitoring facilities are required to make endovascular procedures effective and safe.     

Balloon occlusion of a recurrent carotid-cavernous fistula previously treated by carotid ligations

A carotid-cavernous fistula recurred 16 years after a Hamby procedure. The recurrence was manifested by subarachnoid hemorrhage originating from dilated draining pial veins. The fistula was closed with a balloon catheter introduced through a patent remnant of the cervical carotid artery. Patients who have previously undergone Hamby trapping and embolization should be reassessed for an occult fistula that could predispose them to intracranial bleeding.     

Acute angle-closure glaucoma after successful embolization of traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula--case report

A 69-year-old woman developed acute angle-closure glaucoma 2 weeks after successful transvenous coil embolization of a traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. The angle-closure glaucoma was precipitated by oculomotor palsy caused by transvenous coil packing of the cavernous sinus. Emergency iridotomy resulted in normalization of the intraocular pressure and restoration of vision. Acute angle-closure glaucoma may develop in association with an oculomotor palsy caused by any etiology, including neurointervention.     

Irradiation of spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas

Two patients with spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas were successfully treated with cobalt 60 irradiation to the sellar region. Angiographically, one patient showed combined-type shunts comprising a dural internal carotid-cavernous fistula and a direct internal carotid-cavernous fistula; the other patient had a mixed dural external and internal carotid-cavernous fistula. The respective total radiation dose was 3,200 rads and 3,024 rads. The patients responded satisfactorily to the treatment, with disappearance of the fistulas on angiograms and patency of the internal and external carotid arteries.