High-flow Carotid-cavernous Fistula Research Articles

High-flow carotid cavernous fistula and 'white eye': A rare and easily misdiagnosed presentation - A case report and literature review.

The three classic symptoms of carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) are pulsating exophthalmos, bruit and conjunctival chemosis. Here, we present a clinical case of isolated abducens nerve palsy due to a high-flow CCF in an 84-year-old woman, without the typical congestive orbito-ocular features. It was a diagnostic challenge because, for patients older than 50 years with cardiovascular risk factors, ischaemic mononeuropathy is the most frequent aetiology. This case illustrates the least common type of CCF that can be easily misdiagnosed. Physicians should consider fistula as a possible diagnosis in a patient with isolated abducens nerve palsy even without the classic triad.

Combined Transarterial and Inferior Ophthalmic Vein Approach to a Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistula: Technical Note

We describe our rescue technique for direct puncture of the inferior ophthalmic vein (IOV) for transvenous access of a direct, high-flow carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF). The CCF was caused by rupture of a large internal carotid artery aneurysm. Aneurysm and fistula embolization solely via the transarterial approach did not appear promising due to partial aneurysm thrombosis. Also, transvenous access via the facial vein failed due to extensive vessel tortuosity. Instead, the engorged and arterialized IOV was accessed by direct puncture with an 18-gauge venous cannula. After a small skin incision of the medial aspect of the lower eyelid and further transseptal puncture, the cannula was advanced stepwise between the maxillary bone and the bulbus oculi and below the medial rectus muscle to the IOV under repeated biplane roadmap guidance in 2 planes. Thereafter, the fistula and the aneurysm dome could be embolized with coils via a low-profile microcatheter. Hereby, a protective flow diverter was implanted via the arterial route into the internal carotid artery to seal the parent artery, prevent coil protrusion, and ensure permanent aneurysm occlusion. At 1-month follow-up, the aneurysm and CCF were completely occluded. Direct puncture of the IOV represents a feasible and minimally invasive approach for venous CCF access. The proposed method needs to be validated by further reports.

A Case of Spontaneous Bilateral Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistula

A 92-year-old female with poorly controlled systemic hypertension presented with bilateral eye redness, lid fullness, conjunctival chemosis, ophthalmoplegia, and ptosis for two days. A neuro-ophthalmic evaluation revealed bilateral proptosis, severe conjunctival chemosis and congestion, and an almost complete bilateral ophthalmoplegia with a complete right superior eyelid ptosis. Computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated bilateral dilation of the superior ophthalmic veins, and a CT angiography (CTA) showed a direct high-flow carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) with secondary extraocular muscle enlargement. Clinicians should be aware that a typical direct high-flow CCF, although usually occurs after trauma and unilaterally, can present spontaneously without trauma and bilaterally.

Correlation of Clinical Presentations and Imaging Findings with Flow Dynamics in Carotid-Cavernous Fistula Patients at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung

Background: Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) have variable clinical presentation, imaging, and angiographic findings. The study aims to investigate the association of clinical presentations and radiological findings with flow dynamics from digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of CCFs patients.
 Methods: CCF patients who underwent DSA at Dr. Hasan Sadikin general hospital from January 2017 – December 2019 were included in this study. Patient’s characteristics, clinical presentations, and imaging results were retrieved from the patient’s medical record and radiology database. Fractures, proptosis, extraocular muscle thickening, superior ophthalmic vein dilatation, cavernous hyperdense lesion, and infarct are expected to be identified from imaging results. DSA identified types of flow dynamic based on Barrow classification and venous drainage patterns. Numeric data were analyzed by using Mann Whitney test, while categorical data were analyzed with Fisher’s exact test.
 Results: Twenty-eight patients were included in the study, with patients’ mean age was 30.5-year-old (range: 14- to 61-year-old), consisting of 19 males (67.9%) and 9 females (32.1%). In approximately 75% of the cases, the cause of CCF was a history of trauma. Patients with high flow CCFs were associated with the findings of cavernous sinus hyperdense and proptosis than patients with low flow. Patients who are presented with more than 1-year-long duration of symptoms were more likely to have more than 1 draining vein, compared to patients who are presented with < 1-year-long duration of symptoms.
 Conclusions: History of trauma, longer duration of symptoms, and the presence of a hyperdense cavernous lesion on head CT scan results require further angiographic study prior to endovascular intervention.

Results of Endovascular Treatment for High-Flow Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas

Objective : to study the results of treatment in patients with direct high-flow carotid-cavernous fistulas with their transarterial occlusion using detachable balloons and microcoils. Material and methods. Thirty-five patients underwent surgery using detachable balloons and microcoils. The clinical picture in all patients was represented by pulsating exophthalmos, ptosis on the side of the lesion, ophthalmoplegia, and conjunctival chemosis. Results. In all patients closure of carotid-cavernous fistulas and reversal of symptoms were achieved after primary surgery. Internal carotid artery reconstruction with microcoils could be achieved significantly more often than that with balloons. An anastomotic recurrence was significantly more common in patients undergoing surgery with balloons. Conclusion. The use of microcoils allows to perform reconstructive surgery significantly more frequently, while the recurrence rate is significantly lower than after using the balloons.

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

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

Carotid-Cavernous Fistula Presenting With Bilateral Abducens Palsy.

Carotid-Cavernous Fistula Presenting With Bilateral Abducens Palsy.

Direct spontaneous high-flow carotid-cavernous fistula in a 9-month-old child after nasolacrimal duct repair

Successful treatment of direct spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula in a 9-month-old child and review of the literature devoted to this issue are reported in the manuscript. Spontaneous high-flow carotid-cavernous fistula is extremely rare in children. Detailed diagnosis of the fistulae includes CT-angiography and cerebral subtraction angiography. Previous surgeries (nasolacrimal canal repair in this case) may be considered as an etiological factor of carotid-cavernous fistula. Transarterial transfemoral endovascular embolization of the fistula with microcoils ensured closure of abnormal communication and complete regression of clinical manifestations in our case.

Visual impairment in high flow and low flow carotid cavernous fistula

Our aim is to study the varied posterior segment manifestations, level of visual impairment (VI) and its causes in carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) patients. A retrospective study was done, wherein data was obtained from 48 digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) proven CCF patients. CCF was classified according to Barrow et al., based on DSA into type A (high flow) and types B, C and D (low flow). High flow CCF was present in 8 (16.7%) and low flow CCF was present in 42 (83.3%). Compared to low flow group, patients in high flow group were younger and had a history of trauma (p < 0.05). Posterior segment findings ranged from familiar stasis retinopathy and optic neuropathy (both, glaucomatous and ischemic) to uncommon findings of central retinal artery occlusion, Terson syndrome and combined retinal and choroidal detachment. Retinal vein dilatation was the most common finding in both groups. The high flow CCF group had 6 (75%) patients that had VI. This was acute in 4 (50%) patients and delayed in 2 (25%). In the low flow group 10 (23.8%) of patients had delayed VI. The identification of “3 point sign” is a novel finding of this study, not described before. While none of three findings (disc hyperaemia, retinal vein dilatation and intra-retinal haemorrhage) in isolation were predictive of visual loss, but when present together results in visual loss. Posterior segment changes were varied, some are uncommon and can occur in various combinations. “3 point sign” must be identified at the earliest to prevent visual impairment. The incidence of VI in CCF patients is high.

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

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. 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. 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. 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.

Endovascular Treatment of Post-traumatic Carotid-cavernous Fistula Using Flow Diverter Stent

We describe a case of post-traumatic high-flow carotid-cavernous fistula that was successfully treated with coils and pipeline embolization device. Following the endovascular treatment, the patient experienced clinical improvement of symptoms with complete anatomical restoration of the internal carotid artery.

May the Inferior Petrosal Sinus Recanalization During Endovascular Treatment for Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas Increase the Risk of Sixth Nerve Palsy?

Sixth nerve palsy is a common complication of endovascular treatment for carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF). Two hypotheses are evoked: the spontaneous venous congestion into the cavernous sinus and the direct compression of the nerve by the embolic agent into the cavernous sinus. Nevertheless, the evidence is still uncertain. Knowing the vicinity of the sixth nerve with the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) in the Dorello canal, we hypothesized that the recanalization of the IPS increased the risk of nerve damage. We analyzed a prospective database of patients treated for CCFs from March 2009 to April 2016. We excluded patients who did not need treatment, cases of high-flow CCF, and patients lost to follow-up, obtaining a homogeneous population of 82 patients with indirect CCFs. This population was divided in 2 groups: patients without new-onset/worsening of sixth nerve palsy and patients with this postprocedural complication. Our main endpoints were the potential differences between patients with or without recanalization of IPS and between those who underwent or not an embolization with Onyx-18. We did not find any statistically meaningful difference between the 2 groups concerning the necessity of IPS recanalization (P > 0.999, odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.32-2.96) or with the use of Onyx-18 as an embolic agent (P= 0.56; odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 0.41-2.45). The recanalization of a thrombosed IPS does not increase the risk of procedural sixth nerve damage. The initial injury seems to relate with development/worsening of a sixth nerve palsy.

Indirect carotid cavernous fistula mimicking ocular myasthenia

71-year-old woman with progressive left-sided, monocular diplopia and ptosis. Her symptoms mimicked ocular myasthenia, but she had an indirect carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). She was diagnosed with monocular myasthenia gravis...

Treatment of post-traumatic carotid–cavernous fistulas using pipeline embolization device assistance

This report describes two cases of post-traumatic, high flow carotid–cavernous fistulas that demonstrated residual shunting after initial embolization with coils and Onyx, and that were successfully closed with pipeline embolization...

E-033 Treatment of Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas with a Double Lumen Balloon

IntroductionTreatment of direct high-flow carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas (CCF) can be challenging. Treatment of CCFs with dual lumen balloons has not been described.PurposeTo describe two cases in which the CCF was...

Extensive basal ganglia edema caused by a traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula: a rare presentation related to a basal vein of Rosenthal anatomical variation

The authors report a very rare presentation of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) with extensive edema of the basal ganglia and brainstem because of an anatomical variation of the basal vein of Rosenthal (BVR). A 45-year-old woman was admitted to the authors' institution for left hemiparesis, dysarthria, and a comatose state caused by right orbital trauma from a thin metal rod. Brain MRI showed a right CCF and vasogenic edema of the right side of the brainstem, right temporal lobe, and basal ganglia. Digital subtraction angiography confirmed a high-flow direct CCF and revealed a hypoplastic second segment of the BVR responsible for the hypertension in inferior striate veins and venous congestion. Endovascular treatment was performed on an emergency basis. One month after treatment, the patient's symptoms and MRI signal abnormalities almost totally disappeared. Basal ganglia and brainstem venous congestion may occur in traumatic CCF in cases of a hypoplastic or agenetic second segment of the BVR and may provoke emergency treatment.

E-014 Endovascular occlusion of trigeminal artery-cavernous fistula following spontaneous rupture of a persistent trigeminal artery (PTA): technical considerations and case report

PurposeTo report a rare case of spontaneous rupture of dysplastic trigeminal artery in the cavernous sinus, imaging findings and technical considerations for treatment with vessel preservation.Case reportA 47-years-old female presented...

Treatment of High-Flow Carotid Cavernous Fistula Using a Graft Stent: Case Report

Direct high-flow carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) may be associated with traumatic fracture of the skull base and the sphenoid bone, which produces a direct communication between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cavernous sinus (CS). The clinical manifestation of CCF is related to the venous drainage pattern, which may lead to various symptoms, such as pain, exophthalmos, conjunctival chemosis, visual impairment, ocular movement disorder, and intracranial hemorrhage. The goal of treatment of high flow CCF is to obliterate the arteriovenous shunt at the site of the fistula, while preserving the patency of the ICA as much as possible. The current treatment of choice is transarterial obliteration of the fistula with detachable coils. However, the use of detachable coils can lead to incomplete or temporary occlusion of the fistula due to its high blood flow velocity. An increasing body of evidence has demonstrated that a graft stent lined with polyfluorotetraethylene or Gore-Tex is an alternative for the treatment of CCF. We present our experience using a graft stent to treat high-flow CCF and review the pertinent literature to identify potential indications for a graft stent. Case Report

Treatment of Carotid Cavernous Fistulas

The treatment of a carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) depends on the severity of the clinical symptoms, its angiographic characteristics, and the risk it presents for intracranial hemorrhage. In most instances, endovascular treatment is preferred.High-flow direct CCFs usually are traumatic or are caused by rupture of a cavernous aneurysm into the sinus, but a small percentage can be spontaneous. They usually present with sudden development of a clinical triad: exophthalmos, bruit, and conjunctival chemosis. All direct CCFs should receive treatment, because they carry a high probability of intracranial hemorrhage or neurologic deterioration.Low-flow indirect or dural CCFs, either incidental or with minimal symptoms, are not associated with significant risk of intracranial hemorrhage. The accepted practice is to treat ocular symptoms conservatively with medical management or manual carotid compression. If the patient cannot tolerate the symptoms, or if signs of ocular morbidity occur, endovascular treatment is offered.The first treatment option should be endovascular embolization with a combination of detachable balloons, coils, stents, or liquid embolic agents. The procedure can be performed from either an arterial or venous approach. Use of these materials and techniques can yield a high cure rate with minimal complications.If the patient is not amenable to embolization or if the embolization fails, then surgery (surgical ligation of the internal carotid artery or packing of the cavernous sinus) should be offered.Stereotactic radiosurgery may be an elective treatment for low-flow CCFs, but it has no role in the treatment of high-flow CCFs.

Endovascular Treatment of a High-Flow Direct Traumatic Carotid Cavernous Fistula with a Two Year Follow-up.

Endovascular treatment of high-flow direct traumatic carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) carries many difficulties. One of them is that carotid dissection may be associated with pseudo- aneurysm formation even when the CCF can be successfully embolized by detachable balloons. This article details a unique technique of treating pseudo-aneurysm by obstructing the lumen with preservation of the parent artery. The case presented here involves a 50-yearold man with a history of severe trauma. The angiography revealed that his bilateral highflow carotid cavernous fistula was successfully embolized by detachable balloons and control digital subtraction angiography at the end of the procedure demonstrated the fistula closed and the internal carotid artery preserved. But two months later, a pseudo-aneurysm formed in the right internal carotid artery. Under endovascular treatment along with other techniques including coils, stent-assisted and covered stent, the pseudo-aneurysm was excluded with preserved ICA. Two years later, the fistula and pseudo-aneurysm both disappeared quietly without patent foreign body reaction in the parent arterial wall.