Fatal Peritoneal Bleeding Following Embolization of a Carotid-Cavernous Fistula in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV

We report the case of a 25-year-old woman treated for a spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula in a context of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Embolization with a transvenous approach was achieved without complications; however, the patient died 72 hr later of massive intraperitoneal bleeding. At autopsy, no lesion of the digestive arteries was identified. Possible causes of this bleeding are discussed.

Bilateral carotid-cavernous fistula following head trauma: Possible worsening of brain injury following balloon catheter occlusion?

A 68-year-old woman developed right pulsatile exophtalmos in the early course of facial and head trauma. Investigations by visual evoked potentials suggested the presence of a bilateral prechiasmatic lesion. Intraocular pressure rapidly increased and a high-flow carotid-cavernous fistula was evident at carotid angiography. Immediately after the treatment of the right fistula by balloon embolisation, a systolic bruit was noted over the left eyeball and angiography disclosed the presence of a left carotid-cavernous fistula that was treated by the same approach. The patient developed brain oedema leading to death and we postulated that reestablishment of normal cerebral perfusion after abrupt closure of the fistulas may have played a deleterious role.

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.

Transvenous embolisation of a carotid-trigeminal cavernous fistula

A carotid cavernous fistula is an abnormal communication between the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. Rarely, this communication is associated with a persistent primitive trigeminal artery, with or without a trigeminal artery aneurysm. We report a case of spontaneous carotid-trigeminal cavernous fistula in which the persistent trigeminal artery was shown only on vertebral artery injection. The absence of an associated trigeminal artery aneurysm allowed a transvenous approach for endovascular treatment with coils and complete obliteration of the cavernous fistula.

Transarterial balloon-assisted n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate embolization of direct carotid cavernous fistulas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Transarterial detachable balloon embolization of direct carotid cavernous fistulas (DCCFs) has become an optimal treatment. In a few cases, the parent artery has to be sacrificed to achieve morphologic cure. We present our experience with transarterial balloon-assisted n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) embolization of DCCFs in which there was failure to achieve angiographic cure and preservation of parent arteries.

METHODS

Of 141 patients with traumatic DCCFs who had been treated by transarterial embolization with occlusion of the fistula and parent artery preservation, 18 received transarterial balloon-assisted n-BCA embolization-6 for residual fistula after the balloons detached, 7 for recurrent fistula because of premature balloon deflation or migration, and 5 for repeated puncture of the detachable balloon by the bony fragment at the cavernous sinus. A total of 27 procedures were performed with an average 1.5 attempts per patient, and the volume of the n-BCA mixture varied from 0.5 to 2.3 mL with a mean of 0.83 mL.

RESULTS

All DCCFs were successfully occluded by the n-BCA mixture with preservation of parent arteries. One patient with a giant cavernous sinus varix had a fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage. One had a recurrence and was treated by internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. Five had asymptomatic pseudoaneurysms at the parent artery. There was no adhesion of the n-BCA mixture to the protective balloon or the microcatheter or n-BCA reflux into the parent arteries.

CONCLUSION

Transarterial balloon-assisted n-BCA embolization is a feasible, efficient, and safe treatment for DCCFs when angiographic cure and ICA preservation are not achieved by transarterial detachable balloon embolization.

Lessons learned from difficult or unsuccessful cannulations of the superior ophthalmic vein in the treatment of cavernous sinus dural fistulas

OBJECTIVE

Retrograde cannulation of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) is an important route for embolization of cavernous sinus dural fistulas (CDF). We present our experience with technically difficult cases in which it was not possible to isolate or cannulate this vein.

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.

PATIENTS

All patients diagnosed with dural CDF at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center between January, 1993, and July, 2005, and who were treated with embolization via the SOV.

METHODS

The clinical records of all patients were reviewed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patient demographics, clinical presentation, and surgical findings.

RESULTS

Of 91 patients diagnosed with CDF during the study period, 25 patients (16 females, 9 males; mean age, 59 years) were treated with embolization via the SOV. In 6 of them (24%; 4 women and 2 men; mean age, 67 years), there were significant difficulties in cannulation of the SOV or in successful closure of the fistula with this approach. Three patients had a fragile or a very small vein that could not be cannulated, and 1 of the 3 also had a large, posteriorly located varix that bled extensively on attempted cannulation. In 2 other patients, the anterior segment of the SOV was clotted and the catheter could not be threaded. In 1 patient, an inferior location of the supraorbital vein resulted in difficulties in correct identification of the SOV.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the SOV is a useful route for CDF embolization, the presence of fragile or clotted veins can preclude successful cannulation. Deeper orbital dissections carry a higher risk of uncontrolled bleeding and should be avoided, especially in older patients with fragile veins and those with recently diagnosed high-flow fistulas.

Endovascular treatment of a direct post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula with electrolytically detachable coils

Carotid-cavernous fistulae are abnormal communications between the internal carotid artery and venous compartments of the cavernous sinus. Fistulae are uncommon but well-documented sequelae of craniofacial trauma. The characteristic clinical presentation includes ocular pain, chemosis, exophthalmus and visual disturbances. We report on a 28-year-old man with a history of severe craniocerebral injury, including multiple craniofacial fractures resulting from a fall from a height of approximately 6 meters, who was surgically treated one year ago. Two months before presentation, the patient began to exhibit progressive chemosis, proptosis, eyelid swelling, diplopia and exophthalmus. Computerized tomography and computerized tomographic angiography revealed findings consistent with a carotid-cavernous fistula of the right side of the cavernous sinus with dilatation of the right ocular vein. Digital subtractional angiography of the right internal carotid artery revealed a fistula between the cavernous part of the artery and the right cavernous sinus. There was only minimal blood flow in the supraclinoid part of the internal carotid artery because of the high pressure within the fistula. Our decision was to try to occlude the fistula by means of endovascular embolization. The origin of the fistula in the internal carotid artery was successfully obliterated with seven electolytically detachable coils. Control digital subtractional angiography at the end of the procedure demonstrated minimal residual flow through the fistula. Two months after the treatment, angiographic control revealed complete obliteration of the fistula. Clinical examination showed total resolution of signs and symptoms of a carotid-cavernous fistula. Endovascular transarterial embolization of carotid cavernous fistulae is a widely accepted, safe and successful treatment option. In the case that we describe we occluded the fistula and right cavernous sinus with electrolytically detachable coils that we could place into the sinus. Other endovascular treatment options include the use of detachable balloons, stent placement, transvenous embolization or surgical ligation of the fistula.

Transvenous treatment of spontaneous dural carotid-cavernous fistulas using a combination of detachable coils and Onyx

Three patients with spontaneous dural carotid-cavernous fistulas were treated by using a combination of detachable coils and Onyx liquid embolic agent. Cavernous sinus was accessed via the superior ophthalmic vein or inferior petrous sinus approach. In all cases, a complete angiographic closure of the fistulas was achieved with full recovery from neuro-ophthalmologic symptoms. This report suggests that the controlled and excellent penetration of Onyx is superb for blocking the intricate communication of dural carotid-cavernous fistulas.

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.

Endovascular management of dural carotid–cavernous sinus fistulas in 141 patients

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the single-centre experience with transvenous coil treatment of dural carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas.

METHODS

Between November 1991 and December 2005, a total of 141 patients (112 female) with dural carotid-cavernous sinus fistula underwent 161 transvenous treatment sessions. The patient files and angiograms were analysed retrospectively. Clinical signs and symptoms included chemosis (94%), exophthalmos (87%), cranial nerve palsy (54%), increased intraocular pressure (60%), diplopia (51%), and impaired vision (28%). Angiography revealed in addition cortical drainage in 34% of the patients. Partial arterial embolization was carried out in 23% of the patients. Transvenous treatment comprised in by far the majority of patients complete filling of the cavernous sinus and the adjacent segment of the superior and inferior ophthalmic vein with detachable coils.

RESULTS

Complete interruption of the arteriovenous shunt was achieved in 81% of the patients. A minor residual shunt (without cortical or ocular drainage) remained in 13%, a significant residual shunt (with cortical or ocular drainage) remained in 4%, and the attempted treatment failed in 2%. There was a tendency for ocular pressure-related symptoms to resolve rapidly, while cranial nerve palsy and diplopia improved slowly (65%) or did not change (11%). The 39 patients with visual impairment recovered within the first 2 weeks after endovascular treatment. After complete interruption of the arteriovenous shunt, no recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSION

The transvenous coil occlusion of the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins and the cavernous sinus of the symptomatic eye is a highly efficient and safe treatment in dural carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas. In the majority of patients a significant and permanent improvement in clinical signs and symptoms can be achieved.

[Transvenous embolization in treatment of refractory carotid-cavernous sinus fistula]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of transvenous embolization in treatment of refractory carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF).

METHODS

Twenty-five patients of refractory CCF with 28 foci underwent transvenous embolization, femoral vein-inferior petrosal sinus approach was used in 12 of which, and femoral vein-facial vein-superior ophthalmic vein approach was used in 12 of which. The embolizing materials included controllable coils (GDC, EDC), free coil, and silk. Three to twenty-four months after the treatment angiography was conducted on 10 patients and telephone follow-up was conducted on the other 15 patients.

RESULTS

Immediate complete angiographic obliteration of the fistula was achieved in 20 patients. Residual shunting was left in 5 patients, 2 with pterygoid drainage and 3 with inferior petrosal sinus drainage. Headache and vomiting were the common symptoms after embolization. The angiography during follow-up showed that there were residual shunting in 4 patients, residual inferior petrosal drainage in 1 patient, and residual pterygoid drainage in 1 patient, and that no reoccurrence was found in the 6 patients with complete angiographic obliteration. The patients undergoing telephone follow-up reported that they had not any symptom.

CONCLUSION

Safe and effective, transvenous embolization can be the first choice after the failure in treatment of the carotid-cavernous sinus fistula.

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.

Intraconal superior ophthalmic vein embolisation for carotid cavernous fistula

A 53-year-old man presented with a longstanding carotid cavernous fistula that could not be embolised completely via the femoral route. A superior ophthalmic vein approach was necessary; however, the vein was thrombosed anteriorly and only intraconal cannulation was possible. The vein was accessed via a superior lid crease approach and the fistula successfully embolised. Whilst utilising the superior ophthalmic vein is well described in the literature, to our knowledge, needing to access the intraconal portion of the vein has not previously been reported.

Life-threatening common carotid artery blowout: rescue treatment with a newly designed self-expanding covered nitinol stent

Carotid blowout is a devastating complication in patients with head and neck malignancy. A covered stent offers an alternative to treatment of a carotid blowout patient thought to be at high risk for surgery or carotid occlusion. Stent placement in the common carotid artery or carotid bulb is a technical challenge because of large luminal diameter and luminal calibre discrepancy between internal carotid artery and common carotid artery. We present four patients with common carotid rupture and massive bleeding who were treated with self-expanding covered stents, among them, two cases were treated with newly designed self-expanding polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered nitinol stents.

[Interdisciplinary treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas via the superior ophthalmic vein]

BACKGROUND

The endovascular occlusion of symptomatic carotid cavernous fistulae (CCF) via the transfemoral approach is safe and effective. Due to anatomical variations or after unsuccessful transarterial therapy, a direct surgical approach to the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) may be necessary.

CASE REPORTS

In two patients with acute ophthalmologic symptoms coil occlusion of the CCF was performed after palpebral incision and cannulation of the SOV.

RESULTS

In both patients preparation of the SOV was performed successfully and without complications. After coil embolization of the CCF both patients had complete resolution of symptoms within several weeks. During a follow-up of 12 months there were no recurrences, but both patients exhibited moderate blepharoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Embolization of CCF via a surgically created approach is an effective procedure in selected cases when standard interventional treatment is not possible.

Direct carotid-cavernous fistula: a case report and review of the literature

A 21-year-old man presented with severe proptosis, chemosis, diplopia and an orbital bruit three weeks after a motor vehicle accident. The intraocular pressure was increased. The suspected diagnosis of a direct carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) was confirmed by digital substraction arteriography. Placement of a covered stent in the internal carotid artery was performed with rapid resolution of the symptoms and normalization of the intraocular pressure. The epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, differential diagnosis, treatment and outcome of carotid-cavernous fistulas are discussed.

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.

Absence of orbito-ocular signs in dural carotid-cavernous sinus fistula with a prominent anterior venous drainage

A 55-year-old woman developed an intractable right orbitofrontal headache. The symptoms subsided spontaneously 2 months after onset, but diplopia due to right abducens nerve palsy had occurred, and gradually worsened. Orbito-ocular signs were never observed throughout the clinical course. Brain MRI and MR angiography demonstrated abnormal signal changes corresponding to the right cavernous sinus. Angiography confirmed a dural carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF) with three directional drainage routes in the arterial phase. Although the most prominent draining vein was the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV), an outflow with a high flow rate into the angular facial vein prevented prolonged enhancement of the SOV in the venous phase. These findings suggest that the absence of orbito-ocular signs in dural CCF with an anterior venous drainage could be attributed to the relief of venous hypertension of the SOV.

Peripheral seventh nerve palsy due to transorbital intracranial penetrating pontine injury

The case of a child injured by a knitting needle penetrating transorbitally and intracranially, resulting in carotid cavernous fistula and pontine injury, is reported. After receiving medical and endovascular treatment, the only remaining abnormal neurological manifestation was right peripheral facial nerve palsy. The clinical sequences of events and the demonstration of a pontine lesion leading to peripheral facial palsy are presented. Facial nuclear injury with a penetrating trauma is an extremely rare condition. It is important to identify the anatomical regions injured in penetrating traumas. The lesions must be identified by computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, clinical and laboratory investigation.

De novo development of a remote arteriovenous fistula following transarterial embolization of a carotid cavernous fistula: case report and review of the literature

We report a case of a patient who developed a remote dural arteriovenous fistula involving the left sigmoid sinus 4 months after successful transarterial embolization of a carotid cavernous fistula. This rare occurrence has been reported after transvenous embolization, but this represents the first case, to our knowledge, after transarterial coil embolization. We present our findings along with a brief review of the literature.

Venous phase timing during balloon test occlusion as a criterion for permanent internal carotid artery sacrifice

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of angiography-based balloon test occlusion (BTO) criteria to decide whether to perform internal carotid artery (ICA) permanent occlusion.

METHODS

From March 1999 to August 2004, 60 patients underwent therapeutic ICA occlusion. Angiographic BTO was performed systematically in all patients under general anesthesia (GA). No clinical examination test was performed. After balloon inflation, contralateral carotid and vertebral arteries angiograms were obtained. The symmetry of the venous phases of each hemisphere was assessed. Occlusion was considered to be feasible when the delay between the venous drainage of the injected and the occluded hemisphere was not >2 seconds. Venous drainage delay >4 seconds was considered as contraindication to ICA permanent occlusion. In patients with venous drainage delay of 2-4 seconds, the occlusion was performed only in selected cases.

RESULTS

From a total of 60 patients, 44 had exact symmetry of the venous phase, 10 had delay of 1 second, and 3 other patients had 2-second delays. Clinical outcome for these 57 patients was uneventful. Three patients had venous drainage delay of 3 seconds. One of them had delayed watershed area infarction without clinical consequences at the time of hospital discharge. No periprocedural complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Venous opacification symmetry in the tested and control vascular territories was a reliable predictor of a subject's ability to tolerate carotid occlusion without developing neurologic deficit. Carotid sacrifice was found to be possible when the delay was <3 seconds.

CT angiography and MR angiography in the evaluation of carotid cavernous sinus fistula prior to embolization: a comparison of techniques

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study compared CT angiography (CTA), MR angiography (MRA), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in elucidating the size and location of carotid cavernous sinus fistulas (CCFs) before embolization treatment.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of 53 patients with angiographically confirmed CCF. All patients underwent pre- and postcontrast-enhanced CTA and DSA, and 50 patients also underwent MRA. Two neuroradiologists rated detectability of the fistula tract as "good," "moderate," or "poor" in source images obtained by using each procedure. The chi(2) test was used to compare the imaging modalities with respect to their ability to detect fistulas.

RESULTS

CTA did not differ significantly from DSA (P = .155), and both CTA (P = .001) and DSA (P = .007) performed significantly better than MRA in the population as a whole. Differences in performance among the methods, however, depended upon the segmental location of the fistula along the internal carotid artery (ICA). CTA and MRA were similar in detection of CCFs in patients with a fistula at segment 3. CTA significantly outperformed MRA in patients with a fistula at segment 4, who accounted for approximately half of the population.

CONCLUSIONS

CTA source imaging has proved itself as useful as DSA for detecting CCFs. Of the 2 noninvasive techniques, CTA performed better than MRA in the population as a whole and in most patients whose fistula was located at segment 4 or 5 of the ICA.

Fistule carotido-caverneuse traumatique

The diagnosis of carotid-cavernous sinus fistula is based on clinical findings and must be confirmed and detailed by CT scan and arteriography. If the treatment, based on embolization, is not undertaken in the emergency room, visual complications or even death may result. We give an example of a direct post-traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula, stressing its clinical characteristics (ophthalmoplegia) and treatment: the advantages of arteriography and of embolization methods (most often by detachable balloon or coils, through arteries or veins).

An arteriovenous malformation masquerading as a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula

PURPOSE

To describe a case of an occipital arteriovenous malformation (AVM) presenting with unilateral signs mimicking a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF).

DESIGN

Interventional case report.

METHODS

A 67-year-old normotensive male presented with loss of vision, pain, and proptosis of the right eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was right eye 6/36 and left eye 6/5. Examination of the right eye revealed orbital congestion with arteriolization of the episcleral vessels and an intra-ocular pressure of 44 mm Hg which was refractory to medical treatment.

RESULTS

Computed tomography (CT) angiogram and cerebral angiography found an occipital AVM draining into the right sphenoparietal sinus and thereafter the right ophthalmic vein, bypassing the cavernous sinus. Embolization followed by excision of the AVM resulted in recovery of vision, reversal of proptosis, and normalization of intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Rapid diagnosis and immediate intervention resulted in a rewarding visual recovery despite a persisting left homonymous hemianopia.

A Case of Posterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in a Posterior-draining Dural Cavernous Sinus Fistula

A 79-year-old woman presented with sudden unilateral visual loss after an ocular motor disturbance and pulsatile tinnitus. Neuro-ophthalmologic examination showed a presumed right posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION), oculosympathetic, and third, sensory fifth, and sixth cranial nerve pareses. Selective angiography of the right internal and external carotid arteries confirmed a posterior-draining dural carotid cavernous sinus fistula (CCF) fed by the right meningohypophyseal trunk and right middle meningeal artery. Angiography also showed an ophthalmic-middle meningeal arterial anastomosis. We postulate that the PION was caused by an arterial steal, because blood was drawn into the fistula and away from the intraorbital optic nerve.