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.     

颈动脉海绵窦瘘23例疗效探讨

目的总结23例颈动脉海绵窦瘘﹙CCF﹚的临床诊治经验并探讨治疗策略。方法回顾性分析23例各种类型CCF的诊治体会,患者:Barrow分型A型14例、B型1例、C型1例、D型7例。结果20例经动脉入路,2例静脉入路,1例放弃栓塞治疗。9例采用单纯球囊行瘘口栓塞,5例直接行患侧颈内动脉和瘘口闭塞;5例采用NBCA胶栓塞瘘口;1例采用明胶海绵颗粒部分栓塞联合颈动脉压迫治疗;2例采用弹簧圈海绵窦内栓塞;1例单纯采用颈动脉压迫治疗。21例痊愈,2例好转。结论CCF具有复杂性、难治性特点,血管内治疗应作为主要治疗手段。     

特殊类型颈动脉海绵窦瘘的血管内栓塞治疗

目的　探讨特殊类型颈动脉海绵窦瘘的血管内栓塞治疗的可行性及其价值。方法 :2 8例有外伤史的患者 ,采用Seldinger技术送入导管行全脑血管造影 ,观察侧支循环情况后 ,进行血管内栓塞治疗。结果 :双侧颈动脉海绵窦瘘 6例 ;单侧者为小瘘口 4例、多发瘘口者 2例 ,瘘口部合并骨折片者 11例 ,合并创伤性动脉瘤者 3例 ;栓塞后出现NPPB者 2例。血管内栓塞治疗中 ,闭塞瘘口保持颈内动脉通畅者 9例 ,闭塞瘘口同时闭塞颈内动脉者 19例。结论 :对于特殊类型颈动脉海绵窦瘘行血管内栓塞治疗是安全、有效的 ,应为首选的方法。对于不同病例应采取特例特办的原则 ,方可取得良好的治疗效果。     

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。     

创伤性颈内动脉假性动脉瘤的血管内治疗

目的 探讨载瘤动脉闭塞、弹簧圈栓塞以及支架技术治疗颅内创伤性颈内动脉假性动脉瘤(pseudoaneurysm,PSA)的适应证及其疗效.方法 本组6例患者,3例海绵窦段PSA合并颈内动脉海绵窦痿(carotid-cavernous fistula,CCF),2例单纯颈内动脉PSA,1例CCF球囊栓塞后复查显示PSA.球囊闭塞CCF及创伤性颈内动脉PSA 1例,弹簧圈栓塞3例,颈内动脉球囊闭塞2例.根据6例患者的临床表现、影像学资料、治疗方法选择、临床疗效、随访资料以及文献,分析三种治疗方式的适应证.结果 本组患者无手术相关并发症发生,无脑缺血并发症.术后无鼻出血发生,3例眼球突出回复,1例随访半年视力改善,3例颅内杂音消失,3例瞳孔缩小,复查数字减影血管造影(DSA)未见PSA复发.结论 血管内治疗是治疗颈内动脉PSA的首选,合并CCF时可行球囊闭塞或载瘤动脉闭塞.对单纯窄颈者予以弹簧圈栓塞,对宽颈的采用支架技术结合弹簧圈栓塞,而位于颈内动脉岩段可选择带膜支架.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the indication and result of parental artery occlusion, embolization with coils, stents in treatment of the traumatic carotid artery pseudoaneurysm. Methods There were six patients with traumatic carotid artery pseudoaneurysm including three patients of cavernous pseudoaneurysm combined with carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF), two with simple traumatic carotid artery pseudoaneurysm and one with traumatic carotid artery pseudoaneurysm that was found after CCF embolization with detachable balloon. The treatment included balloon occlusion for CCF and traumatic carotid pseudoaneurysm in one patient, coil embolization in three and intenal carotid artery balloon occlusion in two. The Clinical manifestations, imaging data, choice of treatment, clinical efficacy, follow-up data and literatures were analyzed to discuss the indications for three treatments. Results There was no cerebral ischemia or surgically-related complication. No epistaxis occurred. The eyeball protrusion restoration was found in three patients and intracranial bruit vanishing in three. Vision was improved one patient after half a year follow-up. The pupils shrank in three patients during follow - up. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed no recurrence of pseudoaneurysm. Conclusions Endovascular treatment is the preferred choice of treatment for traumatic carotid artery pseudoaneurysm. The occlusion or parent artery balloon occlusion can be used when the pseudoaneurysm is combined with CCF. Coil embolization can be used for shoes with narrow neck, stent technology combined with coil embolization for those with wide neck and the covered stent for the rock section of the internal carotid artery.     

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。     

Transvenous embolization of direct carotid cavernous fistulas

Of 165 cases of direct carotid cavernous fistula, 14 (8.5%) were treated from a transvenous approach. Twelve of these were treated through the inferior petrosal sinus and one through the superior ophthalmic vein. In one patient, both approaches were used. The embolic agents were as follows: five patients had balloons only, four patients had minicoils alone, three patients had coils and liquid adhesives, one had balloons and coils, and one had balloons and liquid adhesives. Among the patients who were treated from a transvenous approach, three had an occluded carotid artery caused by trauma, nine failed transarterial balloon attempts, and one had a prior trapping procedure. In the remaining patient, who had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a transarterial approach was judged to be too dangerous. This patient suffered a fatal pontine hemorrhage after subtotal transvenous occlusion of the carotid cavernous fistula with diversion of flow into cortical veins. Another complication occurred when the inferior petrosal sinus was perforated during catheterization, causing a small subarachnoid hemorrhage. The tear was immediately closed with minicoils, and surgical exposure and embolization resulted in complete cure. Of the remaining 12 patients treated, 11 were completely cured and one showed angiographic and clinical improvement. Transarterial balloon embolization remains the procedure of choice in the treatment of symptomatic carotid cavernous fistulas; however, transvenous embolization is an alternative when the arterial route fails.     

Percutaneous puncture of the external carotid artery or its branches after surgical ligation.

PURPOSETo describe the technique and results of percutaneous puncture of the external carotid artery or one of its branches distal to a surgical arterial ligation.METHODSForty-three patients underwent 64 embolization attempts by percutaneous arterial puncture distal to an external carotid artery ligation. The punctured arteries were the trunk of the external carotid artery in 31 patients, the internal maxillary artery in nine, the facial artery in nine, the lingual artery in eight, the occipital artery in four, and the superficial temporal artery in three.RESULTSIn 64 attempts 57 were successful in one session, six were successful in two sessions, and one failed. Puncture-related complications were eight spontaneously resolving hematomas and six asymptomatic punctures of the internal carotid artery.CONCLUSIONAfter surgical ligation of the external carotid artery or its branches, arterial puncture above the ligation allowed selective catheterization and endovascular occlusion of vascular lesions.     

Embolization of meningohypophyseal and inferolateral branches of the cavernous internal carotid artery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Despite the continued improvements in endovascular techniques this decade, few dedicated studies addressing the feasibility of such procedures or their efficacy relative to risk have been conducted. The purpose of this study was to use current endovascular techniques to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of direct selective catheterization and embolization of the small branches of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the findings in 10 patients with lesions (five meningiomas and five arteriovenous malformations) primarily or partly supplied by branches of the meningohypophyseal trunk or inferolateral trunk who had undergone endovascular embolization of the feeding arteries during the period from 1991 to 1997. In each case, the artery was selectively catheterized with a microcatheter/microguidewire system and embolized with polyvinyl alcohol particles (n = 5), n-butyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (n = 4), or both (n = 1). RESULTS: In all 10 patients, the feeding artery from the meningohypophyseal trunk (eight patients) or inferolateral trunk (three patients; one patient with both) was successfully catheterized and embolized. In nine patients, embolization resulted in complete obliteration of the vascular territory; in the remaining patient, blood supply was decreased by an estimated 80%. No immediate or delayed complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Advances in microcatheter and microguidewire technology allow more efficient and safer selective catheterization and embolization of branches of the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery than in the recent past. Meticulous technique and detailed knowledge of the vascular anatomy of the cavernous sinus region are necessary to maximize lesion devascularization and to minimize the risk of stroke, cranial nerve palsies, and blindness.     

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.     

双源CT双能量血管成像对颈内动脉海绵窦瘘的诊断价值

目的 探讨双源CT双能量血管成像(DE-CTA)对颈内动脉海绵窦瘘(CCF)的诊断价值.方法 选择14例临床疑诊CCF的患者进行DE-CTA.利用直接能最减影后的数据进行去骨图像重组,同时将能量平均后数据进行非去骨图像重组.由4名多年从事脑血管疾病影像诊断的放射科医师独立分析图像,其中2名评价颈内动脉海绵窦段DE-CTA的图像质量,2名评价瘘口位置、数量、大小及有无异常的颅内静脉扩张,比较各种后处理方法对CCF瘘口及相关病变的显示情况.利用Kappa检验分析2名医师对图像质量评价的一致性.利用t检验及相关性分析评价去骨与非去骨重组图像测得的瘘口大小.结果 14例患者28条颈内动脉颅内段均可以满足影像评价标准.14例患者经行双能量直接去骨颅脑CTA检查均确诊为CCF,其中,病变位于双侧2例,左侧7例,右侧5例.14例患者共16处病变,非去骨及去骨重组图像均发现瘘口16处.去骨及非去骨重组图像测得瘘口的平均大小分别为(0.36±0.10)、(0.35±0.11)mm,两者差异无统计学意义(t=0.29,P＞0.05),且二者测量值之间有很好的相关性(r=0.97,P＜0.05).去骨重组图像发现8例患者13支大脑皮质静脉扩张,非去骨重组图像仅发现6例患者9支大脑皮质静脉扩张.结论 DE-CTA图像多种重组方法相结合对CCF的诊断和治疗方案的制定具有重要价值.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the clinical value of dual-energy CT angiography (DE-CTA) in the diagnosis of carotid cavernous fistula. Methods Fourteen patients suspected of carotid cavernous fistula underwent DE-CTA between Dec. 2008 and Feb. 2010. Image post-processing of DE-CTA was performed with the dedicated software to obtain bone-removal and non bone-removal images. Four experienced radiologists evaluated image quality of DE-CTA, the number, location and size of fistulae and dilation of cerebral veins. The bone-removal and non bone-removal images were compared for displaying of fistulae and other related lesions. Kappa test was used to test the consistency of image quality evaluation between two radiologists. The sizes of fistulae were measured with bone-removal DE-CTA images and non bone-removal DE-CTA images respectively and their results were compared by using student's t-test and the correlation test. Results Twenty-eight intracranial internal carotid arteries of 14 patients showed acceptable image quality. Fourteen cases were diagnosed as carotid cavernous fistula with both bone-removal and non boneremoval DE-CTA images. Two patients presented with bilateral lesions, while 7 patients presented with left lesions and 5 patients had right lesions. Totally, sixteen fistulae lesions were detected in 14 patients. The mean size of fistulae was (0. 36 ±0. 10) mm by bone-removal images, whereas (0. 35 ±0. 11 ) mm by non bone-removal images. There was no significant difference between the two methods ( t = 0. 29, P ＞ 0. 05 ),and good correlation was found between the two methods ( r = 0. 97, P ＜0.05). Thirteen dilated cerebral veins in 8 cases were found by bone-removal images versus 9 dilated cerebral veins in 6 cases by non boneremoval images. Conclusions Image post-processing of DE-CTA is a simple and useful method to identify carotid cavernous fistula. DE-CTA is also useful for therapeutic planning.     

Treatment of type D dural carotid-cavernous fistula by embolization followed by irradiation

Summary In a patient with dural carotid-cavernous fistula supplied by meningeal branches of both internal and external carotid arteries, particulate embolization of the meningeal branches of only the external carotid artery failed to cure the fistula. Subsequent radiation therapy achieved clinical and anatomical cure of the lesion.     

Embolization of branches arising from the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery

Seven patients with vascular disease (four with cavernous and two with transverse sinus dural fistulas and one with a facial arteriovenous malformation, all supplied primarily from cavernous branches of the internal carotid artery) underwent subselective catheterization and embolization. Ten branches were catheterized (seven meningohypophyseal trunks and three inferolateral trunks) and eight branches were embolized. The embolic agents were as follows: polyvinyl alcohol particles in five, hypertonic glucose in two, and liquid adhesive in one. All four cavernous sinus dural fistulas were occluded after embolization. In the two transverse sinus fistulas, the goal of embolization was to obliterate the tentorial supply prior to surgery. This goal was achieved in both cases. In the remaining patient, who had a large facial arteriovenous malformation and recurrent epistaxis, the embolization obliterated the cavernous supply to the nasal cavity and the patient remains hemorrhage-free. Despite one complication, which occurred in the first case when a thrombus formed and dislodged, resulting in an embolic stroke, this study shows that subselective catheterization and embolization can obliterate lesions of the branches arising from the cavernous internal carotid artery.     

纯脑膜动静脉瘘的血管造影及血管内治疗

目的 探讨纯脑膜动静脉瘘的诊断及其治疗效果。资料与方法 对41例纯脑膜动静脉瘘的血管造影表现及血管内栓塞治疗进行回顾性总结、分析。选择性颈内、颈外动脉及椎动脉造影，了解供血动脉及瘘口的部位、血流方向及静脉窦显示情况。诊断明确后，将导管插入靶动脉靠近瘘口行栓塞治疗。41例中，37倒单纯行血管内栓塞治疗，3例栓塞后再行手术，1例先手术再行血管内栓塞。结果 单侧颈外动脉1支血管供血5倒；双侧颈外动脉多支血管供血23例；双侧颈内、外动脉和／或椎动脉的脑膜支同时参与供血13例。瘘口位于海绵窦壁18例，上矢状窦壁7例，横窦壁5例，乙状窦壁3例，脑膜静脉壁3例，皮层静脉壁5例。颈外动脉栓塞治疗有效率87．5％，颈内动脉和／或椎动脉的脑膜支栓塞治疗有效率23．1％。结论 脑血管造影是确诊和研究本病唯一可靠的手段。对单有颈外动脉供血的纯脑膜动静脉瘘采用血管内栓塞治疗是安全、有效的方法。颈内动脉及椎动脉的脑膜支参与供血的情况下，则应对血管内栓塞后再手术为宜。     

Dural arteriovenous fistulas of the posterior fossa draining into subarachnoid veins.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical presentation, angioarchitecture, and risks and problems of therapy in patients with dural arteriovenous malformations of the posterior fossa draining into subarachnoid veins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with dural arteriovenous malformations of the posterior fossa draining into subarachnoid veins were studied. RESULTS: These fistulas often presented with intracranial hemorrhage (eight cases) and myelopathy (two cases). They were located in the tentorium (six cases) or at the skull base (six cases). The arterial supply was provided by branches of the external carotid artery (nine cases), by the posterior meningeal branch of the vertebral artery (nine cases), and by the meningohypophyseal trunk (three cases). The fistulas drained directly into a cortical vein (six cases) or into a venous lake (six cases). In two cases, perimedullary draining veins were observed. The treatment modalities were endovascular embolization alone (two cases), surgery alone (five cases), and embolization followed by surgery (three cases). Despite the treatment, four patients died; in two cases, intracranial hemorrhage recurred. CONCLUSIONS: Subtotal occlusion of a fistula by surgery or embolization alone is not protective against further complications, especially hemorrhage. The goal of treatment is to achieve a rapid and complete anatomical cure; combined endovascular and neurosurgical treatment seems to be the therapeutic choice.     

Endovascular treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistulae: a pictorial review

Introduction Direct carotid-cavernous fistulae (CCFs) are type A fistulae according to Barrow’s classification. Endovascular treatment of these lesions is challenging.Methods The purpose of this review was to evaluate the endovascular treatment of direct CCFs. We also describe the technique, symptomatology and complications associated with the procedure and report on the long-term follow-up in our treated patients.Results A total of 89 patients with a direct CCF were treated. All patients had baseline brain CT or MR imaging. Treatment comprised transarterial balloon or coil embolizations. The patients were followed up at 1 month and then every 6 months thereafter. Detachable balloons were used in 79 fistulae. In 12 fistulae the balloon could not be negotiated through the fistula and these fistulae were treated with transarterial coil occlusion. Clinical outcomes of the treated patients evaluated at 1 month were: 79 patients (88.8%) cured, 9 (10.1%) significantly improved, 1 (1.1%) remaining static.Conclusion Endovascular treatment of direct CCFs is safe and effective and results in long-term cure.     

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。     

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.     

可解脱球囊在神经介入手术治疗中的应用和地位

目的 评价可解脱球囊在当今神经介入治疗中的应用价值。方法 38例颅颈部血管性疾病患者（颈内动脉海绵窦瘘26例,海绵窦段颈内动脉巨大动脉瘤3例,梭形动脉瘤1例,颅颈部AVF8例）应用可解脱球囊闭塞瘘口或闭塞一例颈内动脉。结果 38例中,获解剖治愈21例,通过颈内动脉闭塞达到疾病治愈17例,无并发症和后遗症。结论 可解脱球囊在部份颅颈部血管性疾病的介入治疗中,仍然是首选材料。     

Closed intracranial extradural traumatic lesions of the internal carotid artery]

Closed intracranial lesions of the internal carotid artery are severe complications of craniocerebral trauma. Intradural lesions of branches of this artery are common and well known while extradural lesions are less frequently found. This is illustrated also by a small number of lesions found in our patients within the twenty-year period, namely 8/1000 compared to intradural lesions of branches of the internal carotid artery. Traffic accidents are dominating in their etiology and the causative mechanism is transsphenoidal fracture of the skull base. Due to difficult surgical approach inadequate methods of ligature of the extracranial portion of the internal carotid artery have been used before but it has not led to cure. Contrarily to this, modern direct microsurgical approach or balloon embolisation successfully solve this problem.