Posttraumatic intradural internal carotid artery-cavernous sinus fistula associated with ipsilateral carotid dissection. Transarterial embolization with detachable coils

Traumatic Supraclinoid Internal Carotid Artery Pseudoaneurysm associated with Carotid-Cavernous Fistula and Contralateral Anterior Cerebral Artery Pseudoaneurysm Treated by Surgical Trapping with High-Flow Bypass and A3-A3 Bypass: A Case Report and Literature Review

Traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) are uncommon, particularly associated with carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) or multiple traumatic aneurysms. This report describes a patient with a ruptured left ICA dissecting pseudoaneurysm that caused a direct CCF and a right anterior cerebral artery (ACA) pseudoaneurysm. To eliminate the aneurysm and fistula, we followed the universal bypass strategy by performing an ICA trapping with high-flow bypass, followed by an ACA trapping with A3-A3 side-to-side bypass. Herein, we report the first successful surgical trapping and revascularization of supraclinoid ICA pseudoaneurysm associated with a direct carotid-cavernous fistula.

Is the retrograde access for endovascular treatment of a traumatic carotid cavernous fistula associated with dissection of the ipsilateral carotid possible?

This is a case demonstrating a combined traumatic lesion of the internal carotid artery (dissection and a carotid cavernous fistula [CCF]) in a patient who was beaten during a robbery and, while trying to escape, was hit by a vehicle. Endovascular approach for the treatment was chosen using the retrograde access from the vertebral artery to the cavernous sinus by posterior communicating (Pcom) artery due to the occlusion of the ipsilateral internal carotid. Because the artery access by the internal carotid was impossible, retrograde approach by vertebral artery and Pcom artery was done to treat the direct CCF. A patient presented with left hemiplegia and proptosis, chemosis, right eye ptosis. Computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography revealed a CCF of the right carotid. An arterial retrograde endovascular approach by the vertebral artery was used for CCF occlusion with coils. We present a rare case of a combined traumatic cerebrovascular lesion, right carotid artery dissection and a right direct CCF treated by a retrograde endovascular approach by the vertebral artery through the Pcom artery to reach the fistula point and achieved a complete cure of the CCF.

Traumatic Carotid Cavernous Fistula with a Connection between the Supraclinoid Internal Carotid Artery and Cavernous Sinus via a Pseudoaneurysm Presenting with Delayed Life-threatening Epistaxis

Traumatic carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) presents most commonly as a direct connection between the cavernous segment of internal carotid artery (ICA) and cavernous sinus (CS), and often accompanies basal skull fracture (BSF). The most frequently reported signs and symptoms are proptosis, chemosis, and bruit. Epistaxis is uncommon symptom of CCF. A 63-year-old man with a history of BSF due to blunt head trauma eight months previously was referred to our emergency room for massive epistaxis. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a high-flow CCF with a connection between the supraclinoid portion of left ICA and CS via a pseudoaneurysm, suggesting the life-threatening epistaxis had been caused by high-flow shunting, through the gap created by the BSF. After the complete obliteration of the pseudoaneurysm arising from the supraclinoid ICA by stent-assisted coil embolization, the CCF was no longer evident and epistaxis ceased. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a traumatic CCF with a connection between the supraclinoid ICA and CS via a pseudoaneurysm, presenting with delayed life-threatening epistaxis.

Early growth response protein 1 promotes restenosis by upregulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in vein graft

OBJECTIVES

To verify the relationship between Egr-1 and vein graft restenosis and investigate the related mechanisms.

METHODS

Mouse vein graft models were established in Egr-1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. The vein grafts in the mice were taken for pathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis. The endothelial cells (ECs) were stimulated by using a computer-controlled cyclic stress unit. BrdU staining and PCR were used to detect ECs proliferation activity and Egr-1 and ICAM-1 mRNA expression, respectively. Western-blot analysis was also used to detect expression of Egr-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) proteins.

RESULTS

The lumens of vein grafts in Egr-1 KO mice were wider than in WT mice. ECs proliferation after mechanical stretch stimulation was suppressed by Egr-1 knockout (P < 0.05). Both in vein grafts and ECs from WT mice after mechanical stretch stimulation, mRNA expression and protein of Egr-1 and ICAM-1 showed increases (P < 0.05). However, ICAM-1 expression was significantly suppressed in ECs from Egr-1 knockout mice (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Egr-1 may promote ECs proliferation and result in vein graft restenosis by upregulating the expression of ICAM-1. As a key factor of vein graft restenosis, it could be a target for the prevention of restenosis after CABG surgery.