Transarterial treatment of direct carotico-cavernous fistulas with coils and Onyx

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of combination of liquid embolic agent ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx) and detachable coils in the treatment of direct carotico-cavernous fistulas (CCFs).

Methods

We prospectively collected clinical and radiological data of all patients who underwent embolization of direct CCFs at our institution over a period of 21 months. The clinical parameters, angioarchitecture, presence of cortical venous reflux, volume of Onyx used, number of coils used, extent of embolization and complications were recorded.

Results

A total of 21 consecutive patients (18 men and 3 women, 14 to 48 years) with direct CCF underwent embolization with a combination of coils and Onyx. Embolization was done through the arterial route in all cases. Complete obliteration of the fistula was achieved in 19 of 21 cases. Cast embolization in middle cerebral artery occurred in one patient; however, the cast was completely retrieved with Solitaire device, and the patient did not have any neurological deficit. All completely treated patients reported relief of symptoms at varying intervals. At 6-month follow-up, none of the patients with complete occlusion of the fistula showed any recurrence.

Conclusion

The adjuvant use of Onyx with detachable coils in direct CCF through the arterial route is a safe and effective method for embolization with immediate and complete occlusion of the fistula. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case series of demonstration of arterial use of Onyx with coils in the treatment of direct CCFs.     

Treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas using covered stents: midterm results in seven patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF) can be effectively treated by using different therapeutic alternatives such as detachable balloons and detachable coils, alone or in combination with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) or Onyx. Stents have also been used in an attempt to improve preservation of the parent artery while still occluding the fistula. We present our experience using balloon-expandable covered stents to treat CCF, focusing on arterial wall reconstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first series with midterm follow-up between 3 months and 3.5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From the 46 CCF treated at our institution between November 1998 and September 2006, a total of 7 posttraumatic direct CCF were treated using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stents between April 2003 and September 2006. Five were treated with covered stents alone. One patient with transection of the internal carotid artery (ICA) first underwent bare stent placement to provide support for the covered stent. One patient had to be treated with coils and n-BCA. RESULTS: Control angiograms obtained in the 7 patients demonstrated occlusion of the fistula and preservation of the ICA in all cases. There was no mortality and no immediate postprocedural morbidity. There was 1 case of morbidity identified at 1-month follow-up with asymptomatic occlusion of the ICA; the other 6 patients had angiographic follow-up between 3 and 42 months (mean, 18.4 months), with persistent occlusion of the fistulas, patent stent grafts, and no significant intimal hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS: PTFE-covered stents are evolving as a promising intracranial therapeutic alternative to treat CCF and preserve the parent artery by reconstructing the arterial wall. They should be considered in patients in whom fistulas cannot be successfully occluded with detachable balloons or detachable coils. More investigation is required to further develop their specifications and indications.     

颈动脉海绵窦瘘的血管内栓塞治疗

目的　探讨不同的栓塞材料在颈动脉海绵窦瘘 (CCF)的血管内栓塞治疗中的应用。方法　回顾分析了 2 3例CCF血管内栓塞治疗病例。其中 2 2例外伤性CCF ,19例使用了可脱性球囊 ,3例使用了金属微弹簧圈作栓塞材料 ;1例自发性CCF ,使用了NB CA胶作栓塞剂。结果　可脱性球囊栓塞 19例 ,均获得临床治愈 ,其中 12例保持了患侧颈内动脉的通畅 ,获得解剖治愈 ;金属微弹簧圈栓塞 3例 ,2例成功 ,1例因弹簧圈异位栓塞于右大脑中动脉的分支 ,导致病人失语和半身不遂 ,1例自发性CCF ,经患侧脑膜副动脉注射NBCA胶 ,部分NBCA进入海绵窦内 ,病人获得临床治愈。结论　CCF首选血管内栓塞治疗 ,而可脱性球囊是一种理想的栓塞材料。由于金属微弹簧圈可控性差 ,不够安全 ,不应再被作为经颈内动脉途径的栓塞材料。     

双导管球囊技术治疗高流量颈动脉海绵窦瘘

目的探讨双球囊导管技术治疗高流量颈动脉海绵窦瘘(CCF)的可行性及疗效。方法随机选择1枚可脱性球囊无法闭塞的CCF患者3例,双侧股动脉置管,送2枚球囊进入瘘口,调整位置,充盈2枚球囊,使瘘口完全闭塞后再解脱球囊,观察栓塞效果和颈内动脉通畅情况,评价该技术的可行性。结果3例患者均1次性完全闭塞瘘口,颈内动脉皆通畅,操作过程简单易行,未增加介入治疗的危险性。结论双导管球囊技术能在保证颈内动脉通畅的前提下简单有效地治疗1枚球囊无法闭塞的CCF。     

Angiographic follow-up of traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas treated with endovascular stent graft placement

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endovascular treatment (EVT) of carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) is based on various techniques, mainly those using detachable balloons. Coronary covered stent grafts have been sporadically used in the intracranial arteries and only 2 traumatic CCFs have been reported in the literature; moreover, there is poor information about the long-term follow-up. We present 8 cases of CCFs treated by the placement of a covered stent, 5 of which have a 1-year clinical and angiographic follow-up. METHODS: Eight patients with posttraumatic CCF were treated by positioning a covered stent in the intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) to occlude the fistula. They received periodic clinical and angiographic follow-up to evaluate the patency and the stability of clinical results. RESULTS: In all cases, the symptoms related to the CCF regressed after treatment and did not recur in the follow-up. Two patients presented residual filling of the CCF at the end of the procedure. The angiographic follow-up revealed in 6 patients of 7 a good patency of the ICA; in 1 patient, there was an ICA asymptomatic occlusion. One patient required transvenous coil occlusion of the cavernous sinus. CONCLUSION: When standard treatments fail, covered stent grafts can be used as a valid alternative in the treatment of CCFs, but more data are needed, especially in the long-term follow-up.     

外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的血管内治疗

目的:总结应用多种血管内技术治疗外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘(TCCF)的经验体会。方法:自2003年11月~2007年11月收治TCCF 16例。14例患者单纯应用可脱球囊治疗,1例应用可脱弹簧圈结合NBCA栓塞治疗,1例患者应用可脱球囊治疗失败后应用了覆膜支架治疗。结果:14例应用球囊成功栓塞瘘口,另2例分别应用可脱弹簧圈结合NBCA和覆膜支架最终治疗成功。14例闭塞瘘口并保留了颈内动脉,2例闭塞瘘口的同时闭塞了颈内动脉。无死亡以及手术相关性并发症。随访6~24个月(平均18个月),无1例复发。结论:多种血管内技术可以安全、有效地治疗外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘。首选球囊闭塞瘘口,在球囊闭塞瘘口失败时可考虑应用可脱弹簧圈或覆膜支架。     

Ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysms causing carotid cavernous fistula: incidence, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In this study, we present our experience with 11 patients with ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysms causing carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs), to assess the incidence of ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysms causing CCFs and evaluate clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a 10-year period, 10 of 689 (1.5%) endovascular-treated ruptured aneurysms were ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysms causing CCF. One additional patient with a CCF died shortly before treatment of intracranial hemorrhage. All patients had audible pulsatile bruit. Exophthalmus, ocular motor palsy, and decreased vision correlated with venous drainage to the superior ophthalmic veins and intracerebral hemorrhage was associated with major cortical venous drainage in 2 patients. RESULTS: Two low-flow CCFs closed spontaneously before treatment with resolution of symptoms; the aneurysms were subsequently treated. Eight CCFs were successfully occluded, 5 by coil occlusion of the aneurysm, one by occlusion of the aneurysm with a balloon, and 2 by simultaneous coil occlusion of the aneurysm and internal carotid artery. There were no complications of treatment. Visual acuity returned to normal in all but one patient, and ophthalmoplegia was cured in 6 of 8 patients. In 2 patients, a remaining abducens palsy was surgically corrected. CONCLUSION: The incidence of CCF by a ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysm was 1.5%. CCF was the presenting symptom in 24.4% of treated symptomatic cavernous sinus aneurysms. Clinical symptoms correlate with venous drainage. Drainage to cortical veins may lead to intracranial hemorrhage. Endovascular treatment with coils is effective in occluding the fistula.     

Endovascular management of carotid-cavernous fistulas

Objective To investigate endovascular treatment of traumatic direct carotid-cavernous fistulas （CCF） and their complications such as pseudoaneurysms. Methods： Over a five-year period, 22 patients with traumatic direct CCFs were treated endovascularly in our institution. Thirteen patients were treated once with the result of CCF occluded, 8 twice and 1 three times. Treatment modalities included balloon occlusion of the CCF, sacrifice of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery with detachable balloon, coll embolization of the cavernous sinus and secondary pseudoaneurysms, and covered-stem management of the pseudoaneurysms. Results All the direct CCFs were successfully managed endovascularly. Four patients developed a pseudoaneurysm after the occlusion of the CCF with an incidence of pseudoaneurysm formation of 18.2% （4/22）. A total number of 8 patients experienced permanent occlusion of the ICA with a rate of ICA occlusion reaching 36.4% （8/22）. Followed up through telephone consultation from 6 months to 5 years, all did well with no recurrence of CCF symptoms and signs. Conclusion Traumatic direct CCFs can be successfully managed with endovascular means. The pseudoaneurysms secondary to the occlusion of the CCFs can be occluded with stent-assisted coiling and implantation of covered stents.     

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome type IV and recurrent carotid-cavernous fistula: review of the literature, endovascular approach, technique and difficulties

We report the follow-up of a previously published case (Forlodou et al. Neuroradiology 38:595–597, 1996) of carotido-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) in a patient presenting with type IV Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS 4) that were successfully treated twice by an endovascular approach. Initial treatment with a detachable balloon was in 1994 for a right CCF, and, 8 years later, a left CCF was treated by selective transarterial occlusion of the cavernous sinus with coils. Unfortunately, the patient suffered from a spontaneous post-operative intracranial haemorrhage in the left hemisphere and died. Review of the literature, technical considerations for bilateral CCF and complication are discussed.     

Transvenous embolization of dural fistulas involving the cavernous sinus

Because of the risks associated with arterial embolization of cavernous dural fistulas, we have sought an alternative method to promote fistula closure. Thirteen patients underwent transvenous embolization as a treatment for symptomatic cavernous dural fistulas. All procedures were performed from a femoral vein access through the inferior petrosal sinus or basilar plexus. In five patients the inferior petrosal sinus was not angiographically demonstrable; however, embolization was still possible through this route in two patients. The embolic agents used were detachable balloons in one patient, coils alone in five, coils and liquid adhesives in four, coils plus silk sutures in one, silk sutures alone in one, and liquid adhesives alone in one. Nine patients had follow-up angiograms, which showed complete obliteration of the fistulas and complete resolution of related symptoms. One patient had complete resolution of clinical symptoms but refused follow-up angiography. Another patient had 50% decrease in fistula flow on the follow-up angiogram and improvement in clinical symptoms. Two patients had complete fistula obliteration after embolization and progressive improvement in symptoms but follow-up angiograms had not been obtained. Follow-ups ranged from 1 to 97 months (mean, 15 months). Two complications were related to this treatment. An embolic stroke followed transient placement of a balloon in the internal carotid in one patient, and a second patient developed transient visual loss when the venous outflow pathways were occluded before fistula closure. The fistula was immediately closed with complete recovery of vision. With recent advances in microcatheter and embolic agent technology, transvenous closure of cavernous dural fistulas is now possible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Transarterial platinum coil embolization of carotid-cavernous fistulas

Of the 227 embolization procedures performed by our neurointerventional section for symptomatic carotid-cavernous fistulas over the past 10 years, five involved placement of platinum coils in the cavernous sinus from a transarterial route. In four patients, prior transarterial balloon procedures had failed to produce fistula closure. In the fifth patient, with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a prior transvenous embolization attempt was unsuccessful. In three patients, complete closure of the carotid-cavernous fistula was achieved with preservation of the parent artery. In one patient, the earliest treated, a portion of a platinum coil projected through the fistula into the parent artery. To eliminate the risk of clot formation and distal embolization, internal carotid occlusion was performed and tolerated without deficits. In the last patient, closure of the anterior drainage was achieved, but complicated by distal migration of the platinum coils with transient aggravation of ocular symptoms. Attempts to occlude the remaining cortical drainage were unsuccessful with platinum coils; therefore, a balloon was used to obliterate the small remaining fistula. Transarterial platinum coil embolization is an alternative treatment for symptomatic carotid-cavernous fistulas that cannot be closed successfully by other embolization techniques. The development of shorter, more thrombogenic, detachable or retrievable coils may make this technique more promising in the future.     

可脱球囊栓塞术在海绵窦瘘治疗中的应用 (附 2 7例报告 )

目的　研究微导管可脱球囊技术治疗海绵窦瘘的临床意义。方法 :2 6例外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘 (TCCF)患者和 1例大脑前动脉 (A1段 )动脉瘤破裂合并海绵窦瘘患者采用微导管可脱球囊技术进行栓塞治疗 ,以经颅多普勒 (TCD)进行复查 ,所有患者均随访 6月以上。结果 :2 2例CCF患者均成功栓塞瘘口并保持颈内动脉通畅 ,其中 2 0例为一次栓塞成功 ,2例因球囊过早泄漏而行 2次栓塞治疗。对 1例A1段动脉瘤破裂合并海绵窦瘘患者成功施行了双球囊动脉瘤颈孤立术。 4例行颈内动脉闭塞术。本组病例未发生严重并发症。结论 :微导管可脱球囊技术是对海绵窦瘘的一种微创、安全、有效的治疗方法。     

Direct puncture of the proximally occluded internal carotid artery for treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas

Three patients with symptomatic carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) characterized by complete occlusion of the proximal internal carotid artery were treated by percutaneous puncture and embolization. Two patients had CCFs associated with traumatic dissections of the internal carotid artery and were treated initially with trapping procedures. Both patients had persistent symptoms related to the CCF and underwent additional surgical procedures (ophthalmic artery ligation and intraoperative embolization) without improvement. The third patient had traumatic occlusion of the internal carotid artery. After direct percutaneous puncture of the carotid artery above the occlusion, a catheter was advanced into the petrous internal carotid artery. Balloons (one case) or coil emboli (two cases) were placed into the cavernous sinus to produce CCF closure. There were no complications from this procedure. Direct puncture of the carotid artery is an alternative treatment for patients lacking safe access for CCF embolization.     

外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的诊断及血管内栓塞治疗

目的探讨外伤性颈动脉海绵窦瘘(TCCF)的诊断方法和血管内球囊及可脱式弹簧圈(GDC)栓塞治疗的效果。方法回顾性研究48例患者共49个瘘口进行51次栓塞治疗,其中49次应用可脱式球囊进行栓塞,2次应用GDC进行栓塞。结果49个瘘口中31个闭塞瘘口同时颈内动脉保持通畅,2例患者2周后复发,应用球囊再次栓塞。18个闭塞患侧颈内动脉,1例患者出现暂时性肢体偏瘫。2例GDC栓塞闭塞瘘口并保持颈内动脉通畅。患者临床症状基本全部消失,部分术前视力下降者恢复不良。结论物理诊断和DSA脑血管造影对TCCF诊断最有意义。可脱式球囊栓塞是治疗TCCF的良好方式,辅助GDC栓塞总体上可以达到更好的结果。     

直接型颈动脉海绵窦瘘的血管内治疗

探讨血管内治疗对直接型颈动脉海绵窦瘘的价值。材料和方法：38例患者在治疗前均行脑血管造影检查，所有病例均采用经动脉途径，用可脱球囊导管进行栓塞治疗。结果：38例患者中有36例栓塞成功，其中34例患者瘘口完全闭塞。36例患者中有32例于栓塞后保留颈内动脉，4例行颈内动脉球囊闭塞术。术后36例患者的海绵窦综合症均有不同程度的好转。3例患者曾行经静脉途径可脱球囊栓塞治疗，但由于海绵窦内分隔的阻挡作用，球囊不能进入海绵窦及其瘘口附近而告失败。2例患者由于球囊早脱并移位于大脑中动脉分支血管内，导致患者发生失语和一侧肢体偏瘫。结论：血管内可脱球囊栓塞治疗直接型颈脉海绵窦瘘，其瘘口闭塞率高，死亡率低，是直接型颈动脉海绵窦瘘的首选治疗手段。     

Balloon reconstructive technique for the treatment of a carotid cavernous fistula.

Endovascular treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) presents many technical difficulties and hazards, some unique to each patient. This report details some of the difficulties encountered in the treatment of a 63-year-old patient with a CCF and an ipsilateral internal carotid artery dissection. After failure of conventional techniques using a detachable balloon, complete closure of the CCF was achieved by transvenous coil embolization while the arterial lumen was protected by a nondetachable balloon catheter.     

Endovascular treatment of carotico-cavernous fistulas with acrylic glue: a series of nine cases

Introduction

Injuries to the internal carotid artery close to the cavernous sinus may result in a fistulous connection between the artery and the venous sinus. Symptoms include pulsatile tinnitus, intracranial bruit, ophthalmological symptoms, and risk of intracerebral hematoma in cases of cortical venous reflux. Previous treatment strategies have included detachable latex balloons, coils, covered stents, or combinations thereof. Today, detachable latex balloons are phased out or withdrawn from several markets. Acrylic glue is a proven stable material used for embolization of arteriovenous shunts. It is a precise, fast, and cost-effective method of endovascular embolization, and it does not cause artifacts on MRI or MRA.

Methods

We treated nine patients suffering from direct fistulas with acrylic glue without any permanent neurological adverse events.

Results

Four patients were treated with glue embolization of the fistula without occlusion of the parent artery. Five patients with long-lasting symptomatology, large tears in the ICA, and with full collateral cerebral circulation were treated with glue embolization of the fistula and sacrifice of the ICA antero- and retrograde via the ICA and the posterior communicating artery.

Conclusion

We suggest acrylic glue to be added to the panel of embolic materials used to treat CCFs.

     

Management of pseudoaneurysms in the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery with covered stents specially designed for use in the intracranial vasculature: technical notes

Vascular diseases like aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms and direct high-flow carotid-cavernous fistulas on the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery are usually managed through transarterial embolization with detachable coils or balloons. Utility of covered stents has been reported with good results in the treatment of selective cases. But the current generation of covered stents for coronary use is rather stiff and difficult to navigate in tortuous vessels particularly in the intracranial vasculature. Herein, we report on the use and technical respects of balloon-expanded covered stents specially designed for intracranial vasculature in the treatment of two pseudoaneurysms secondary to the successful obliteration of direct CCFs on the intracranial segment of the internal carotid artery. This is the first report of covered stents specially developed for use in intracranial vasculature.     

经动脉入路血管内治疗142例创伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘临床分析

目的 验证经动脉入路血管内治疗对创伤性颈内动脉海绵瘘(CCF)的治疗效果.方法 142例经全脑血管造影确诊为颈内动脉海绵窦瘘,行常规可脱球囊栓塞术,其中7例行球囊栓塞失败,改为全麻下行Jostent覆膜支架成形术.结果 135例患者局麻下成功行可脱球囊栓塞术,7例行球囊栓塞失败后于全麻下成功行Jostent覆膜支架成形...     

Vein of Galen technique for occluding the aneurysmal sac of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations

In seven of 255 consecutive patients (2.7%) who underwent pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) embolization at our center between July 1, 1996, and July 1, 2000, the feeding artery was considered too short for safe occlusion with use of standard stainless-steel coils or detachable balloons. These patients were successfully treated with use of a modified vein of Galen technique similar to the one used for managing intracranial vein of Galen aneurysms. In this article, the authors report their experience with this technique in safely occluding the aneurysmal sacs of PAVMs in patients with short (<2 cm) feeding pulmonary arteries.