Abstract TP215: Endovascular and Medical Management Strategies for Caroticocavernous Fistulae: A Single Center Retrospective Safety and Efficacy Analysis

Abstract

Background: Caroticocavernous fistulae (CCF) are a rare subtype of intracranial arteriovenous fistulae with variable clinical and angiographic presentations. This study aimed to describe the clinical outcomes in a cohort of CCF patients and identify clinical and angiographic features differentiating patients more likely to benefit from endovascular intervention. Methods: A single-center, retrospective analysis was performed to identify all patients with angiographically-confirmed CCF between 2000 and 2022. Pertinent data, including clinical symptoms, angiographic findings, treatment strategies, recurrence rates, and complications, was collected. Results: A total of 84 patients were included, of whom 67 (80%) underwent endovascular intervention and 17 (20%) were conservatively managed. Primary endovascular techniques were transvenous coil embolization (78%), feeder artery embolization (16%), and ICA flow diversion (8%). High-risk clinical symptoms, such as reduced visual acuity, and angiographic features, such as cortical and ophthalmic venous reflux, were more common in the intervention group (p<0.05). All direct (Barrow Type A) CCFs underwent endovascular intervention (32% vs 0%, p=0.005), while indirect (Barrow types B-D) CCFs were common in the conservatively managed group (100% vs 68%, p=0.005). 31% of treated CCFs required retreatment, which primarily occurred with Barrow type D CCFs and following transvenous coil embolization. Procedure-related complications occurred in 10% of cases and consisted of cranial nerve palsies (n=5), asymptomatic intracranial dissection (n=1), and asymptomatic distal thromboembolic occlusion (n=1). Conclusion: High-risk symptoms and angiographic features favor endovascular intervention. Various embolization techniques, including transvenous coil embolization, proved safe and effective. In select CCF patients without high-risk clinical or angiographic features, conservative observation is a safe and effective alternative to endovascular embolization. Complications were rare, and most were transient, emphasizing the safety of endovascular management. Longitudinal angiographic surveillance is essential for monitoring fistula persistence or recurrence.