Detachable balloon embolization as the preferred treatment option for traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula?

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.

Pseudoaneurysm formation following transarterial embolization of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula with detachable balloon: An institutional cohort long-term study

BACKGROUND

The goal of therapy for traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (TCCF) is the elimination of fistula while maintaining patency of the parent artery. The treatment for TCCF has evolved from surgery to endovascular management using detachable balloons, coils, liquid embolic agents, covered stents, or flow-diverter stent through arterial or venous approaches. Despite the withdrawal of detachable balloons from the market in the United States since 2004, transarterial embolization with detachable balloons has currently remained the best initial treatment for TCCF in several countries. However, the pseudoaneurysm formation following transarterial detachable balloon embolization has rarely been observed in long-term follow-up.

AIM

To determine the occurrence and long-term follow-up of pseudoaneurysm after transarterial detachable balloon for TCCF.

METHODS

Between January 2009 and December 2019, 79 patients diagnosed with TCCF were treated using detachable latex balloons (GOLDBAL) of four sizes. Pseudoaneurysm sizes were stratified into five grades for analysis. Initial and follow-up assessments involved computed tomography angiography at 1 month, 6 month, 1 year, and longer intervals for significant cases. Clinical follow-ups occurred semi-annually for 2 years, then annually. Factors analyzed included sex, age, fistula size and location, and balloon size.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 79 patients treated for TCCF, pseudoaneurysms formed in 67.1%, with classifications ranging from grade 0 to grade 3; no grade 4 or giant pseudoaneurysms were observed. The majority of pseudoaneurysms did not progress in size, and some regressed spontaneously. Calcifications developed in most large pseudoaneurysms over 5-10 years. Parent artery occlusion occurred in 7.6% and recurrent fistulas in 16.5%. The primary risk factors for pseudoaneurysm formation were identified as the use of specific balloon sizes, with balloon SP and No. 6 significantly associated with its occurrence (P = 0.005 and P = 0.002, respectively), whereas sex, age, fistula size, location, and the number of balloons used were not significant predictors.

CONCLUSION

Pseudoaneurysm formation following detachable balloon embolization for TCCF is common, primarily influenced by the size of the balloon used. Despite this, all patients with pseudoaneurysms remained asymptomatic during long-term follow-up.

Case report: emergent endovascular treatment for carotid cavernous fistulas presenting as intracranial hemorrhage

Objectives

This study aimed to discuss the clinical characteristics and emergent endovascular treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas presenting as intracranial hemorrhage.

Methods

The clinical data of five patients with carotid cavernous fistulas, who presented with intracranial hemorrhage and who were admitted from January 2010 to April 2017, were analyzed retrospectively, and the diagnoses were confirmed by head computed tomography. Digital subtraction angiography was carried out in all the patients for the diagnosis and further emergent endovascular procedures. All patients were followed up to assess the clinical outcomes.

Results

In total, five patients harbored five mono-lateral lesions; two of them were obliterated by detachable balloons, two by detachable coils, and one by detachable coils and Onyx glue. Only one patient was cured by another detachable balloon in the second session, and the other four patients were cured in the first session. At the 3- to 10-year follow-up, there was no intracranial re-hemorrhage in any of the patients; there was no recurrence of symptoms; and delayed occlusion of the parent artery was noted in one case.

Conclusion

Emergent endovascular therapy is indicated for carotid cavernous fistulas presenting as intracranial hemorrhage. Individualized treatment according to the characteristics of different lesions is safe and effective.

Clinical Research of Combined Arteriovenous Approach Embolization on Complex Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas

The objective of this study was to observe the curative effect of combined arteriovenous approach embolization on complex carotid-cavernous fistulas. The clinical data of 13 patients with complex carotid-cavernous fistulas treated with combined arteriovenous approach embolization in our department between January 2017 and January 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All 13 patients received the combined arteriovenous approach embolization with coil combined with Onyx glue. The intraoperative angiography immediately showed that the fistula could be completely blocked, and the carotid artery was/got unobstructed. The patients had no clinical symptoms recurring during a follow-up period of 3-18 months, on average 9.1 ± 6.3 months. A combined arteriovenous approach embolization on complex carotid-cavernous fistulas is safe and effective since it can improve the occlusion rate and reduce the relapse rate.

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.