Traumatic Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas Treated with Covered Stents: Experience of 12 Cases

Covered Stent Treatment for Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas: A Meta-Analysis of Efficacy and Safety Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (dCCFs) involve the abnormal shunting of blood between the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. The use of covered stents (CSs) has been reported for the treatment of complex carotid artery lesions. However, the efficacy and safety of CS treatment for dCCFs remain controversial. Thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate these efficacy and safety endpoints.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed by comprehensively searching the Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify studies that were related to CS treatment for dCCFs. Then, a meta-analysis was conducted to pool the efficacy and safety outcomes from these studies based on perioperative and follow-up data.

RESULTS

Fourteen noncomparative studies enrolling 156 patients with 160 dCCFs met the inclusion criteria. When analyzing perioperative outcomes, the technical success rate was 98.5% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.948; 1.000], and the immediate complete occlusion rate was 90.9% (95% CI, 0.862; 0.959). Vasospasm and dissection occurred in 32.2% (95% CI, 0.238; 0.463) and 0.1% (95% CI, 0.000; 0.012) of patients, respectively. The in-stent acute thrombus formation rate was 0.1% (95% CI, 0.000; 0.013). Postoperatively, the mortality rate was 0.1% (95% CI, 0.000; 0.013). Based on available follow-up data, the final complete occlusion and parent artery stenosis rates were 99.3% (95% CI, 0.959; 1.000) and 18.6% (95% CI, 0.125; 0.277), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CS placement can be used to safely and effectively treat dCCFs. These results provide a reference for future clinical trials.

Treatment of Traumatic Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistula with a BeGraft-Covered Stent

The widely accepted option for treating traumatic direct carotid-cavernous fistula (dCCF) has been endovascular treatment using detachable balloons, coils, or embolic agents. Covered stent deployment has been applied by a few operators and has shown promising results. This is a retrospective study on patients with dCCF treated by an endovascular approach using BeGraft, a covered stent. In 4 cases, this device was successfully deployed without any complications. Immediate complete occlusion was achieved in 3 patients (75%) after deployment of the covered stents. One patient required transvenous coiling for occlusion of the remaining endoleak. Follow-up imaging demonstrated 100% fistula occlusion with complete internal carotid artery patency. No early or late complications occurred following treatment. In conclusion, the BeGraft-covered stent could be a promising safe and effective alternative option for the endovascular treatment of dCCF.

Outcomes After Endovascular Treatment of Direct Carotid Cavernous Fistulas: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Direct carotid cavernous fistulas (dCCF) involve pathologic shunting from the internal carotid artery into the cavernous sinus. We systematically reviewed the methods and outcomes of endovascular therapy for dCCF.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE were used to identify studies that reported outcomes for patients undergoing embolization of dCCF. Outcomes included rates of occlusion, complications, symptom improvement, and recurrence. Pooled rates for each outcome were obtained with random effects models. The influence of embolization method on outcomes was assessed with meta-regressions.

RESULTS

There were 16 studies comprising 270 patients. The mean age was 39.6 years, there were 36.3% females, and the mean follow-up was 19.7 months. Coils were the most common method of embolization (69.3%), followed by Onyx (31.1%), covered stent (22.2%), N-butyl cyanoacrylate (6.7%), and flow diversion (4.8%). The pooled overall occlusion rate was 92.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.3-95.6; I2 = 29.2%). The pooled complication rate was 10.9% (95% CI, 7.3-16; I2 = 0%). Use of coils were associated with a slightly lower odds of overall complications (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99) and cranial nerve palsy (odds ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99). The pooled fistula recurrence rate was 8.3% (95% CI, 4.3-15.4; I2 = 30.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular therapy for dCCF is associated with high occlusion and low complication rates. Recurrence is not uncommon, highlighting the need for close follow-up.

The Appearance of Middle Meningeal Artery Fistulae After Willis Covered Stent for Traumatic Carotid-cavernous Fistulae: Two Case Reports

INTRODUCTION

Carotid cavernous fistulae (CCF) are rare, and they occur when there is a communication between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and cavernous sinus. These lesions are associated with blunt or penetrating traumatic injuries of the carotid arteries. We present the first cases of cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulae (cDAVF) in the middle meningeal artery (MMA) after the treatment of direct CCF in the ICA with Willis-covered stents (WCSs).

CASE PRESENTATION

Our patients comprised 22 and 50-year-old males with histories of head injuries months before admission at our facility. In both patients above, cerebral angiography revealed fistulae in the right ICA and left ICA, respectively. They were treated with WCSs via the trans-artery endovascular route. In both cases, the treatments were not in the way attempted via the MMA. Subsequently, they developed cDAVF in the middle meningeal artery (MMA), which were treated with Onyx Liquid Embolic System (Onyx HD-500) (Covidien / ev3 Neurovascular) and conservatively, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These are the first cases in whom WCSs for the management of direct CCF resulted in cDAVF at the MMA. The WCSs inside the ICA could have resulted in the cDAVF via unknown mechanisms but not iatrogenic.

First line Treatment of Traumatic Carotid Cavernous Fistulas Using Covered Stents at Level 1 Regional Trauma Center

Objective

The widely accepted treatment option of a traumatic carotid cavernous fistula (TCCF) has been detachable balloon or coils based fistula occlusion. Recently, covered stent implantation has been proving an excellent results. The purpose of this study is to investigate our experiences with first line choice of covered stent implantation for TCCF at level 1 regional trauma center.

Methods

From November 2004 to February 2020, 19 covered stents were used for treatment of 19 TCCF patients. Among them, 15 cases were first line treatment using covered stents. Clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Procedures were technically successful in all 15 cases (100%). Immediate angiographic results after procedure were total occlusion in 12 patients (80%). All patients except two expired patients had image follow-up (mean 15 months). Recurred symptomatic three patients underwent additional treatments and achieved complete occlusion. Mean clinical follow-up duration was 32 months and results were modified Rankin Scale 1–2 in five, 3–4 in five, and 5 in three patients.

Conclusion

The covered stent could be considered as fist line treatment option for treating TCCF patients especially in unstable vital sign. Larger samples and expanded follow-up are required to further develop their specifications and indications.

Neuro-Endovascular Intervention in Traumatic Carotico-Cavernous Fistulae: A Single-Center Experience

Introduction

The aim of this research was to describe a single-center practical experience in the management of traumatic carotid cavernous fistula (CCF).

Methods

There were a total of 31 patients between January 2005 and December 2019 with post-traumatic carotid cavernous sinus fistula (tCCF) who underwent treatment. We classified them into 2 types according to the flow of the CCF: patients with high flow CCF and patients with low flow CCF.

Results

Angiography revealed the high flow types on 21 patients (67.7%), the mean of patients ages are 31.5 years. Onyx embolization was performed in 1 patient (4.76%), transarterial balloon embolization was carried out in 10 patients (47.61%), transarterial coiling in 3 (14.28%) patients while 5 (28.8%) patients underwent transvenous routes to insert the coil and 2 patients (9.52%) were treated conservatively. Complete occlusion was achieved on all patients with coiling whereas the other treatment experiences the reducing flow of the fistula. We obtained 10 patients (32.2%) with a mean of 40.3 years as low flow type CCF. The patients with the low flow type mostly treated conservatively, because their symptoms were acceptable and intermittent.

Conclusion

The ballooning currently became the more affordable treatment in our center. Balloon embolization was recommended for medium- and large-size fistula. The coils should be recommended for small-size fistula. In some cases occlusion of the fistula cannot be obtained using the detachable balloon, a coil can be used to occlude the cavernous sinus via trans arterial or trans venous access. If the fistula failed to be treated in traditional ways using balloons or coils, occlusion of the parent vessels could be another option.

Treatment of Carotid Cavernous Fistula Presenting with Contralateral Exophthalmos: Several Experiences of Graft Stent

Objective

Graft stent for carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is known to be a useful treatment. Here, we report our experiences of treatment with graft stents for CCFs.

Case Presentations

From 2015 through 2018, six patients underwent graft stent placement for CCF occlusion. Clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Access and deployment of a graft stent was successful in all patients and complete occlusion immediately after the procedure or 3-month follow-up angiography.

Conclusion

Graft stents should be considered as an alternative option of treating CCFs and preserving the parent artery by arterial wall reconstruction especially in patients with a fistula that cannot be successfully occluded with detachable balloons or coils.

Internal carotid artery occlusion may affect long-term quality of life in patients with high-flow carotid cavernous fistulas

PURPOSE

To investigate the mid- and long-term effects of parent artery occlusion on the carotid cavernous fistula and on the quality of life of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and twenty-six patients with high-flow direct carotid cavernous fistulas were enrolled. The modified Rankin scale scores, the headache impact test and the short form health survey scores were used to evaluate the patients' clinical status.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients had parent artery occlusion, while the rest of the 74 patients had embolization of carotid cavernous fistulas with parent artery preservation. No periprocedural complications occurred. Eighteen patients in the parent artery occlusion group had low perfusion symptoms within two weeks following embolization, and three patients had Horner's syndrome on the ipsilateral side. At two months' follow-up, the patients with parent artery occlusion had a significantly (P < 0.05) greater proportion of headache than patients with parent artery preservation. At 12 months, no significant (P > 0.05) difference existed in the headache impact test scores in both groups. At 36 months' follow-up, the patients with parent artery occlusion had decreased SF-30 scores in all the eight health domains compared with patients treated with parent artery preservation, with a significant (P < 0.05) lower score in general health, vitality and bodily pain in the parent artery occlusion compared with the parent artery preservation group. No recurrence was shown in patients with parent artery occlusion, but nine (12.2%) patients were recurrent in patients with parent artery preservation.

CONCLUSION

Parent artery occlusion may affect the quality of life of patients with carotid cavernous fistulas despite being an effective treatment option for high-flow direct fistulas.

Application of the Willis Covered Stent in the Treatment of Carotid-Cavernous Fistula: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the present study was to describe our single-institutional experience of treating direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (DCCFs) with Willis covered stents (WCSs).

METHODS

Of a total of 31 DCCFs, 10 were treated with WCSs (Microport, Shanghai, China) at West China Hospital from January 2015 to December 2016. The indications for treatment, perioperative findings, and postoperative and follow-up results were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

All 10 patients had successful deployment of WCSs. Complete exclusion of the fistula was achieved in 6 patients immediately after deployment of 1 stent. Endoleak was observed in 4 patients (patients 2, 4, 5, and 9). Thus, repeat dilation of the stent with greater pressure was performed, which resolved the endoleak in 2 patients (patients 2 and 9). The endoleak of the other 2 patients persisted after repeat dilation of the balloon. Hence, a second stent was deployed in these 2 patients (patients 4 and 5), which eliminated the endoleak in patient 4. However, patient 5 continued to have a minimal endoleak. Nine patients had fistulas successfully occluded by WCSs during the follow-up period. One patient experienced recurrence of a DCCF at the 10-day follow-up point. We chose coil embolization to address this DCCF. No stenosis of the internal carotid artery or DCCF recurrence, except that in the abovementioned patient, was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

WCS was proved to be an alternative treatment method for complex DCCFs through reconstruction and preservation of the internal carotid artery. Our study also confirmed the safety, efficacy, and midterm durability of WCSs for complex DCCFs without any serious delayed complications.

Nonmissile Anterior Skull-Base Penetrating Brain Injury: Experience with 22 Patients

Background:

Nonmissile anterior skull-base penetrating brain injuries (NASBPBIs) have specific characteristic features that are different from missile injuries. Our study presents our experiences on the characteristic features as well as management of NASBPBI.

Materials and Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 22 consecutive patients with NASBPBI managed at our institute during a 13-year period. The mechanism of injury, clinical investigations, and complications were analyzed, with more emphasis on diagnostic and treatment regimen.

Results:

The 22 cases included in our study comprise of 20 males and 2 females. Majority (72.7%) of the patients were adults with a mean age of 27.5 years. The mechanisms of injury often include accidental fall, either onto a small-diameter sharp object (10 cases) or while carrying such an object in the hand (4 cases). The other common mechanisms were stabbing, accident, or during an altercation (8 cases). Clinical manifestations included periorbital hematoma (10 cases, 45.5%) and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea or orbitorrhea (4 cases, 18.2%) as well as signs of embedded foreign object (8 cases, 36.4%). We performed emergency craniotomy in 21 cases and skin debridement in one case. Postoperative complications were abscess (1 case), epilepsy (1 case), and traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (1 case).

Conclusion:

Nonmissile injuries are generally on the rise and therefore deserve more attention. We observed that clinical outcomes were excellent in 14 (Glasgow Outcome Scale [GOS] score of 5) and good in the remaining 8 patients (GOS of 4) during 6-month–10-year (mean 4.6 years) follow-ups.

Reconstruction of the Internal Carotid Artery After Treatment of Complex Traumatic Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas With the Willis Covered Stent

BACKGROUND:

Endovascular treatment of complex traumatic direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (TDCCFs) is a challenge.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the long-term efficacy of the Willis covered stent in endovascular treatment of complex TDCCFs, focusing on reconstruction and preservation of the internal carotid artery.

METHODS:

During the past 8 years, 25 patients with 27 TDCCFs who previously had unsuccessful treatment of fistulas with detachable balloons received endovascular treatment with Willis covered stents. The efficacy, complications, in-stent stenosis, angiographic, and clinical follow-up results were evaluated retrospectively between 6 and 88 months (mean, 43.8 months) after the stent placement.

RESULTS:

The technical success rate of stenting placement was 100%. Forty-four Willis covered stents were implanted into the target artery of 27 TDCCFs. Complete exclusion was achieved in 16 patients with 17 TDCCFs immediately after the stent placement, with transient endoleaks in 10 TDCCFs. Redilation was performed in 6 TDCCFs, and additional stents were implanted in the other 4 TDCCFs for endoleak exclusion. The initial angiographic results showed complete exclusion of fistulas with preservation of the internal carotid artery in 24 patients with 26 TDCCFs. One patient in whom complete occlusion initially was achieved subsequently experienced a delayed endoleak, which required placement of an additional stent. The angiographic follow-up results (mean, 30.3 months) demonstrated complete exclusion in all 27 TDCCFs, with patency of internal carotid artery in 23 patients. The clinical follow-up demonstrated a full recovery in 23 patients and improvement in 2 patients.

CONCLUSION:

The use of Willis covered stents was confirmed to be effective, safe, and a curative approach for endovascular treatment of complex TDCCFs and internal carotid artery reconstruction.

Direct carotid cavernous sinus fistulae: vessel reconstruction using flow-diverting implants

Purpose

Retrospective evaluation of our experience with the use of flow diverters (FD) for the endovascular treatment of direct carotid-cavernous sinus fistulae (diCCF).

Methods

Between 2011 and 2015, 14 consecutive patients with 14 diCCF were treated with FD alone or in combination with other implants in a single institution.

Results

A total of 21 sessions were performed in 14 patients. FD placement was technically successful in all cases without an adverse event. Patients were treated with FD alone (n = 5), FD and covered stents (n = 2), FD and coils (n = 7). A total of 59 FD (24 Pipeline Embolization Device, Medtronic; 35 p64 Flow Modulation Device, phenox), 291 coils, and 3 stent grafts were used. Three of 14 diCCF were completely occluded after the 1^st session, a minor residual shunt was found in 7/14, and in the remaining 4/14 patients, the shunt volume was reduced significantly. The mean follow-up period encompassed 20 months. Additional treatment included transvenous coil occlusion (n = 3) and/or further FD deployment (n = 5). An asymptomatic internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion was encountered in 2 patients, related to an interruption of antiaggregation. At the last follow-up, 10/14 patients were free from ocular symptoms (71 %), 2 had residual exophthalmos, and no patient had clinical deterioration.

Conclusion

The usage of FD for the treatment of diCCF is straightforward. Injury of the cranial nerves can be avoided. In most cases, ocular symptoms improve. Several FD layers and/or an adjunctive venous coil occlusion are required. Complete occlusion of a diCCF may take weeks or months and long-term antiaggregation is required. In the future, a flexible stent graft might be a better solution.

Endovascular Modalities for the Treatment of Cavernous Sinus Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND

Cavernous sinus (CS) fistulas are classified into traumatic and spontaneous. Traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are usually direct internal carotid artery (ICA) high-flow fistulas; whereas spontaneous CCFs are usually dural, low-flow fistulas and generally possess less severe symptoms than direct carotid-cavernous fistulas.

METHODS

This study involved 34 patients who were classified into 2 groups: Group A included 26 patients with direct carotid-cavernous fistula; and Group B included 8 patients with indirect dural cavernous fistula. All patients had ocular manifestations. One patient had subarachnoid hemorrhage. Coils were used alone in 19 cases of direct fistula and in 1 case of dural fistulas. Coils and Onyx (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) were used in 7 cases of direct fistula and in 2 cases of dural fistulas. Onyx alone was used to treat 5 cases with dural fistulas but none of the cases with direct fistulas. Covered stents and coils were used in 2 cases of direct fistulas.

RESULTS

All patients in both groups showed full recovery of their clinical signs and symptoms. Only 1 procedure-related complication was observed (3%) in which a patient had an embolic event and trigeminal dysesthesia as a result of Onyx reflux through external carotid artery-ICA anastomosis.

CONCLUSION

Coils are superior solid embolic agents used for the treatment of direct high-flow fistulas, while Onyx is more valuable in dural low-flow CCF. Onyx shortens the procedure time and decreases procedure cost. Onyx injection inside the CS proper through the transarterial or transvenous route may be safer than Onyx injected inside dural arteries supplying the CS. However, more cases are needed to determine this.

Proposal of Venous Drainage–Based Classification System for Carotid Cavernous Fistulae With Validity Assessment in a Multicenter Cohort

BACKGROUND:

Carotid cavernous fistulae (CCFs) are most commonly classified based on arterial supply. Symptomatology and treatment approach, however, are largely influenced by venous drainage.

OBJECTIVE:

To propose an updated classification system using venous drainage.

METHODS:

CCFs with posterior/inferior drainage only, posterior/inferior and anterior drainage, anterior drainage only, and retrograde drainage into cortical veins with/without other drainage channels were designated as types 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. CCFs involving a direct connection between the internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus were designated as type 5. This system was retrospectively applied to 29 CCF patients.

RESULTS:

Our proposed classification was significantly associated with symptomatology (P.001). Type 2 was significantly associated with coexisting ocular/orbital and cavernous symptoms only (P.001), type 3 with ocular/orbital symptoms only (P.01), and type 4 demonstrated cortical symptoms with/without ocular/orbital and cavernous symptoms (P.01), respectively. There was a significant association of our classification system with the endovascular treatment approach (P.001). Types 1 and 2 were significantly associated with endovascular treatment through the inferior petrosal sinus (P.01). Type 3 was significantly associated with endovascular treatment through the ophthalmic vein (P.01) and type 5 with transarterial approach (P.01), respectively. Types 2 (27.6%) and 3 (34.5%) were most prevalent in this series, whereas type 1 was rare (6.9%), suggesting that some degree of thrombosis is present, with implications for spontaneous resolution. Type 2 CCFs demonstrated a trend toward partial resolution after endovascular treatment (P = .07).

CONCLUSION:

Our proposed classification system is easily applicable in clinical practice and demonstrates correlation with symptomatology, treatment approach, and outcome.

Covered stents for the endovascular treatment of a direct carotid cavernous fistula : single center experiences with 10 cases

OBJECTIVE

Covered stent has been recently reported as an effective alternative treatment for direct carotid cavernous fistulas (DCCFs). The purpose of this study is to describe our experiences with the treatment of DCCF with covered stents and to evaluate whether a covered stent has a potential to be used as the first choice in selected cases.

METHODS

From February 2009 through July 2013, 10 patients underwent covered stent placement for a DCCF occlusion. Clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Covered stent placement was performed for five patients primarily as the first choice and in the other five as an alternative option. Access and deployment of a covered stent was successful in all patients (100%) and total occlusion of the fistula was achieved in nine (90%). Complete occlusion immediately after the procedure was obtained in five patients (50%). Endoleak persisted in five patients and the fistulae were found to be completely occluded by one month control angiography in four. The other patient underwent additional coil embolization by a transvenous approach. Balloon inflation-related arterial dissection during the procedure was noted in two cases; healing was noted at follow-up angiography. One patient suffered an asymptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion noted seven months post-treatment.

CONCLUSION

Although endoleak is currently a common roadblock, our experience demonstrates that a covered stent has the potential to be used as the first choice in DCCF; this potential is likely to increase as experience with this device accumulates and the materials continue to improve.

Jostent covered stent placement for emergency reconstruction of a ruptured internal carotid artery during or after transsphenoidal surgery

OBJECT

Internal carotid artery (ICA) rupture during transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) is an extremely difficult complication to treat. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate and long-term outcomes of covered stent placement for emergency reconstruction of ruptured ICAs during or after TSS.

METHODS

Seven patients underwent covered stent placement for emergency reconstruction of a ruptured ICA during or after TSS. The safety and effectiveness of covered stent placement for emergency reconstruction of ruptured ICAs were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Pretreatment angiography showed active bleeding in 6 patients (5 intraoperative and 1 postoperative) and a pseudoaneurysm in 1 patient. Of the 6 patients with active bleeding, 5 were treated with a successive operation to control active bleeding. The other patient was treated just after cardiopulmonary resuscitation due to massive nasal bleeding 20 days after revision of TSS. All active bleeding was controlled immediately after covered stent insertion in these 6 patients. One patient showed a gap between the covered stent and ICA wall without active bleeding 30 minutes after glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor administration due to in-stent thrombosis. The gap was occluded with coil embolization after completion of the temporarily suspended TSS. The seventh patient, whose ICA tear was treated with surgical suture, underwent covered stent placement for a pseudoaneurysm detected on postoperative Day 2. During a mean follow-up period of 46 months (range 12-85 months), all patients had excellent outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score of 0). All the stented ICAs were patent on vascular imaging follow-up at a mean of 34 months (range 12-85 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Covered stents appear to be a safe and effective option for emergency reconstruction of ruptured ICAs during or after TSS.

Traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula in a multiple facial fractures patient: case report and literature review

Carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is a pathologic communication between internal carotid artery (ICA) and cavernous sinus (CS). CCF occurs most commonly in association with craniofacial trauma. Traumatic CCFs are very rare, occurring in 0.17-0.27% of craniomaxillofacial trauma cases. We present a case of the patient treated for multiple facial fractures, who developed symptoms of CCF with several days latency and was successfully treated by endovascular occlusion of ICA. Anatomy of CS, pathophysiology of CCFs and treatment options are concisely reviewed.

Traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula at the anterior ascending segment of the internal carotid artery in a pediatric patient

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) in children is a rare condition. Early diagnosis and treatment is still a challenge, and it is associated with good neurological recovery.

CASE SUMMARY

We present a rare case of a 10-year-old boy with mild head trauma, who developed a CCF at the anterior segment of the ascending internal carotid artery. The patient was treated with endovascular coil embolization and evolved with a favorable outcome.

DISCUSSION

Most of reports in the literature address the traumatic CCF in adult patients, in which early treatment may prevent poor recovery or fatal outcomes. The diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed based on a literature review.

CONCLUSION

It is important to keep a high degree of suspicion for CCF, especially in traumatic head injury associated with skull base fracture, since the early diagnosis and treatment may prevent potentially permanent neurological deficits.

Follow-up of 58 traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas after endovascular detachable-balloon embolization at a single center

Background and Purpose

This study evaluated the clinical value of detachable-balloon embolization for traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (TCCF), focusing on the frequency, risk factors, and retreatment of recurrence.

Methods

Fifty-eight patients with TCCF underwent transarterial detachable-balloon embolization between October 2004 and March 2011. The clinical follow-up was performed every 3 months until up to 3 years postprocedure. Each patient was placed in either the recurrence group or the nonrecurrence group according to whether a recurrence developed after the first procedure. The relevant factors including gender, fistula location, interval between trauma and the interventional procedure, blood flow in the carotid-cavernous fistula, number of balloons, and whether the internal carotid artery (ICA) was sacrificed were evaluated.

Results

All 58 TCCFs were successfully treated with transarterial balloon embolization, including 7 patients with ICA sacrifice. Recurrent fistulas occurred in seven patients during the follow-up period. Univariate analysis indicated that the interval between trauma and the interventional procedure (p=0.006) might be the main factor related to the recurrence of TCCF. The second treatments involved ICA sacrifice in two patients, fistula embolization with balloons in four patients, and placement of a covered stent in one patient.

Conclusions

Detachable balloons can still serve as the first-line treatment for TCCFs and recurrent TCCFs despite having a nonnegligible recurrence rate. Shortening the interval between trauma and the interventional procedure may reduce the risk of recurrence.