Abstract
Carotid-cavernous fistula is an abnormal communication between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. The fistula is classified based on its etiology, haemodynamic and anatomical configuration. The most common type is the direct high flow fistula resulting from trauma. Indirect fistula which is less common results from underlying conditions such as hypertension, collagen vascular diseases, pregnancy amongst others. It is in regards with this uncommon occurrence of indirect fistula that we report a case of forty years old woman who presented with a left protruding eyeball and headache a month after delivery and was diagnosed with spontaneous type D indirect carotid cavernous fistula with rapidly progressing symptoms. She was referred abroad for interventional radiological services due to unavailability of such services in our facility and country.
Highlights
IntroductionCarotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is an abnormal communication between two intracranial vascular structures namely: the carotid artery and the cavernous si-
Indirect fistula which is less common results from underlying conditions such as hypertension, collagen vascular diseases, pregnancy amongst others. It is in regards with this uncommon occurrence of indirect fistula that we report a case of forty years old woman who presented with a left protruding eyeball and headache a month after delivery and was diagnosed with spontaneous type D indirect carotid cavernous fistula with rapidly progressing symptoms
Direct carotid cavernous fistula occurs as a result of an abnormal communication between the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus
Summary
Carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is an abnormal communication between two intracranial vascular structures namely: the carotid artery and the cavernous si-. The two main branches of the carotid artery or any of its branches can communicate with the cavernous sinus [3] These fistulae are classified for the purpose of determining management modalities as well as prognosis. The haeomdynamic nature of the fistula can be low or high flow They are classified as direct or indirect and etiologically as spontaneous or traumatic [1] [2]. Direct carotid cavernous fistula occurs as a result of an abnormal communication between the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. On the basis of etiology, traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas are by far commoner than spontaneous accounting for about 75% of all cases [6]. Spontaneous carotid cavernous fistula is common in the elderly and female patients. We report a case of spontaneous carotid cavernous fistula in a forty year-old postpartum female and the challenges in the management of the case
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