Treatment of a cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula by deep orbital puncture of the superior ophthalmic vein

In a patient with progressive ophthalmological problems, including uncontrolled intraocular pressure related to a cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula, urgent intervention may be necessary to prevent permanent visual loss. We report a case in which inadequate transarterial embolisation and lack of access for transvenous catheterisation, including a direct approach through the superior ophthalmic vein, preceded percutaneous puncture of the superior ophthalmic vein deep within the orbit, permitting venous occlusion without complications. This case demonstrates that deep orbital puncture of the vein is feasible for occlusion of a cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula. Received: 14 July 2000 Accepted: 11 October 2000     

Transvenous embolization of a direct carotid cavernous fistula through the pterygoid plexus

Closure of a direct carotid cavernous fistula with detachable coils by transpterygoid venous approach to the cavernous sinus is an alternative technique that may be applied in cases in which other techniques offer increased risk or in which other techniques have failed. In this case report, we present the details of the management of a direct carotid cavernous fistula by this method.     

Embolization of arteriovenous malformations by direct percutaneous puncture

Permanent control of arteriovenous malformations requires obliteration of the intrinsic vasculature of the lesion with a nonresorbable occlusive material. When tortuous feeding arteries prevent successful catheter positioning, it may be possible to percutaneously puncture the malformation with a Chiba needle for direct embolization with cyanoacrylate. Three illustrative cases are presented. In each, previous surgical ligation of feeding vessels was ineffective and embolization by catheter was not possible when the fistula recurred. Direct puncture of one or more feeding vessels with occlusion by cyanoacrylate controlled these fistulas, two of which were massive. No complications occurred.     

Transarterial embolization of a direct carotid cavernous fistula with Guglielmi detachable coils.

Four patients underwent transarterial embolization of a carotid-cavernous fistula with Guglielmi detachable coils; in three cases as the initial form of treatment and in one case after treatment via transarterial balloon embolization failed. The fistulas were 2 to 3 mm in diameter on pretreatment angiograms. Complete obliteration was achieved in two patients; in the other two, minimal residual flow remained immediately after embolization but disappeared by follow-up angiography. One to four coils were used to occlude the fistulas. The internal carotid artery remained patent in all patients, and there were no complications.     

Surgical transvenous embolization of a cortically draining carotid cavernous fistula via a vein of the sylvian fissure.

Percutaneous transvenous embolization is one of the most effective treatments of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) involving the dural sinuses. We present a unique case of surgical transvenous embolization in a 48-year-old man with a dural AVF of the cavernous sinus who presented with intracerebral hematoma. The dural AVF drained only into the vein of the sylvian fissure on angiography. Transvenous embolization via the vein of the sylvian fissure during craniotomy obliterated the AVF completely.     

Management of a rare complication of endovascular treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistula.

A 30-year-old woman with direct carotid cavernous fistula underwent endovascular treatment with detachable balloons via a transarterial route. The patient returned with diplopia 1 year after therapy. On cranial MR imaging, one of the balloons was detected in the proximal portion of the superior ophthalmic vein and was deflated percutaneously with a 22-gauge Chiba needle under CT guidance. The patient's symptoms resolved after balloon deflation. This case report presents a unique complication of endovascular treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistula and its management.     

特殊类型颈动脉海绵窦瘘的血管内栓塞治疗

目的　探讨特殊类型颈动脉海绵窦瘘的血管内栓塞治疗的可行性及其价值。方法 :2 8例有外伤史的患者 ,采用Seldinger技术送入导管行全脑血管造影 ,观察侧支循环情况后 ,进行血管内栓塞治疗。结果 :双侧颈动脉海绵窦瘘 6例 ;单侧者为小瘘口 4例、多发瘘口者 2例 ,瘘口部合并骨折片者 11例 ,合并创伤性动脉瘤者 3例 ;栓塞后出现NPPB者 2例。血管内栓塞治疗中 ,闭塞瘘口保持颈内动脉通畅者 9例 ,闭塞瘘口同时闭塞颈内动脉者 19例。结论 :对于特殊类型颈动脉海绵窦瘘行血管内栓塞治疗是安全、有效的 ,应为首选的方法。对于不同病例应采取特例特办的原则 ,方可取得良好的治疗效果。     

急症血管内栓塞治疗外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘

目的探讨血管内栓塞治疗外伤性颈内动脉海绵窦瘘（TCCF）在紧急情况下的应用价值。方法TCCF297例，急诊血管内栓塞治疗36例中，其中严重鼻出血22例，大量流入皮质静脉9例，颅内出血3例，视力恶化3例，肢体功能障碍2例。全部病例采用可脱性球囊栓塞瘘口或闭塞颈内动脉，5例患者用可脱性球囊闭塞瘘口及颈内动脉后，采用弹簧圈保护性闭塞颈内动脉。结果36例中，1次性栓塞瘘口并颈内动脉通畅19例；1次性栓塞瘘口部及颈内动脉者17例。22例鼻出血者未再出血；3例颅内出血未再发生出血；3例视力恶化者2例视力恢复，1例明显提高；2例肢体功能障碍明显改善。结论血管内栓塞治疗TCCF是首选的治疗方法，急诊栓塞治疗对一些危及生命或可能导致严重后遗症的TCCF是必要、安全和有效的。     

Transvenous embolization of direct carotid cavernous fistulas

Of 165 cases of direct carotid cavernous fistula, 14 (8.5%) were treated from a transvenous approach. Twelve of these were treated through the inferior petrosal sinus and one through the superior ophthalmic vein. In one patient, both approaches were used. The embolic agents were as follows: five patients had balloons only, four patients had minicoils alone, three patients had coils and liquid adhesives, one had balloons and coils, and one had balloons and liquid adhesives. Among the patients who were treated from a transvenous approach, three had an occluded carotid artery caused by trauma, nine failed transarterial balloon attempts, and one had a prior trapping procedure. In the remaining patient, who had Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a transarterial approach was judged to be too dangerous. This patient suffered a fatal pontine hemorrhage after subtotal transvenous occlusion of the carotid cavernous fistula with diversion of flow into cortical veins. Another complication occurred when the inferior petrosal sinus was perforated during catheterization, causing a small subarachnoid hemorrhage. The tear was immediately closed with minicoils, and surgical exposure and embolization resulted in complete cure. Of the remaining 12 patients treated, 11 were completely cured and one showed angiographic and clinical improvement. Transarterial balloon embolization remains the procedure of choice in the treatment of symptomatic carotid cavernous fistulas; however, transvenous embolization is an alternative when the arterial route fails.     

Endovascular occlusion of direct carotid cavernous fistula with detachable balloons: usefulness of 3D angiography

The objective of this study is to show rotational 3D angiography findings and their usefulness in the occlusion of carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) using detachable balloons. Five patients with direct CCF were retrospectively reviewed for details of interventional procedures and 2D and 3D angiography findings. Pretherapeutic 2D and 3D angiograms (n=2) were compared to evaluate the size of the fistula and the relative size of the cavernous sinus with respect to the fistula. Postinflation-predetachment (n=3) and postdetachment (n=4) 2D and 3D angiograms were compared in each stage to evaluate the relative location of the balloon to the internal carotid artery (ICA), presence of a pseudoaneurysm, and relative size of the balloon to the fistula. Pretherapeutic 2D and 3D angiograms were equally effective in showing the fistula and relative size of the cavernous sinus. But, 3D angiography with cut images at arbitrary viewing angles clearly visualized the 3D relations between the ICA, fistula, and cavernous sinus. Both postinflation-predetachment 2D and 3D images in two patients equally showed a contrast-filled pseudoaneurysm outside the ICA and intraluminal location of the balloon. However, only the 3D images showed no difference in size of the balloon compared with the fistula, which was relevant to traction-induced instability in the remaining one patient. Both postdetachment 2D and 3D angiograms were equal in terms of showing ICA compromise (60%) in one patient and an extraluminal balloon location with complete fistular occlusion in two patients. In the remainder, a small pseudoaneurysm was identified only on 3D images. Three-dimensional angiography is a useful imaging tool for capturing the complex perifistular anatomy in the pretherapeutic stage, and for providing detailed information about the degree of balloon inflation and its location, the presence of a pseudoaneurysm, and the expected traction-induced instability in the predetachment stage. Postinflation-predetachment 3D angiography may therefore offer a chance to correct an erroneous manipulation that would otherwise lead to an incomplete procedural outcome and disastrous balloon migration.     

Transsphenoidal computer-navigation-assisted deflation of a balloon after endovascular occlusion of a direct carotid cavernous sinus fistula

SUMMARY: A 49-year-old woman with a direct posttraumatic carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) was treated with detachable balloons via a transcarotid route. After the procedure, her intracranial bruit, conjunctival injection, and orbital congestion were cured, but the preexistent sixth nerve palsy deteriorated. CT showed one balloon positioned in the posterior portion of the right cavernous sinus and was regarded to be responsible for nerve compression. After surgical exposure by use of a transnasal-transsphenoidal approach under 3D navigation control, this balloon was deflated by puncture with a 22-gauge needle. The previously described symptoms resolved after balloon deflation. This report presents a rare complication of endovascular treatment of direct CCF and a new microsurgical approach to a balloon in a case of nerve compression.     

颈动脉海绵窦瘘23例疗效探讨

目的总结23例颈动脉海绵窦瘘﹙CCF﹚的临床诊治经验并探讨治疗策略。方法回顾性分析23例各种类型CCF的诊治体会,患者:Barrow分型A型14例、B型1例、C型1例、D型7例。结果20例经动脉入路,2例静脉入路,1例放弃栓塞治疗。9例采用单纯球囊行瘘口栓塞,5例直接行患侧颈内动脉和瘘口闭塞;5例采用NBCA胶栓塞瘘口;1例采用明胶海绵颗粒部分栓塞联合颈动脉压迫治疗;2例采用弹簧圈海绵窦内栓塞;1例单纯采用颈动脉压迫治疗。21例痊愈,2例好转。结论CCF具有复杂性、难治性特点,血管内治疗应作为主要治疗手段。     

Cavernous aneurysm rupture with balloon occlusion of a direct carotid cavernous fistula: postmortem examination.

We present a unique case of a patient with a symptomatic carotid cavernous fistula treated successfully with balloon embolization. Her subsequent death from other disease processes allowed direct visualization of the balloon occlusion in situ at postmortem examination.     

Embolization of dural cavernous fistulas via superior ophthalmic vein approach.

PURPOSETo present the results of our treatment of dural cavernous sinus fistulas with surgical exposure of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV), retrograde venous catheterization, and coil embolization of the cavernous sinus.METHODSTwelve patients with dural cavernous sinus fistulas were treated via a retrograde transvenous SOV approach in our hospital during a 3-year period. All patients had been referred by ophthalmologists because of secondary glaucoma and decreased visual acuity. Angiography showed preferential venous drainage of the dural cavernous sinus fistulas to an enlarged ipsilateral SOV. A total of 13 SOV exposures were performed, one patient with bilateral fistulas required bilateral treatment. The vein was surgically exposed by an ophthalmologist and then catheterized. Platinum coils were delivered through a microcatheter at the fistula site and into the root of the SOV, until there was complete angiographic closure.RESULTSCatheterization and embolization were successful in 12 of the 13 patients, with complete angiographic occlusion of the fistula. Two patients with bilateral fistulas had transient worsening of symptoms on the contralateral side. Three patients required follow-up angiography. No early complications occurred, and late complications were minor in two cases. All patients except one with long-standing symptoms recovered premorbid visual acuity. At follow-up, 11 (92%) of the 12 embolized fistulas remained occluded.CONCLUSIONSRetrograde catheterization of the SOV and embolization of the cavernous sinus with coils is a direct, safe, and efficient way to occlude dural cavernous sinus fistulas.     

创伤性颈动脉海绵窦瘘血管内治疗的护理

目的:探讨创伤性颈动脉海绵窦瘘(TCCF)血管内治疗中的护理。方法:本组37例TCCF,术前进行心理护理、侧支循环训练和眼部护理,术中配合医生操作,术后观察生命体征,早期发现过度灌注综合征。结果:37例均成功进行了血管内栓塞治疗,症状和体征消失。3例术后发生过度灌注综合征,由于发现及时均得到了有效缓解。结论:围手术期护理对于TCCF血管内治疗有重要意义。     

Direct puncture of the proximally occluded internal carotid artery for treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas

Three patients with symptomatic carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) characterized by complete occlusion of the proximal internal carotid artery were treated by percutaneous puncture and embolization. Two patients had CCFs associated with traumatic dissections of the internal carotid artery and were treated initially with trapping procedures. Both patients had persistent symptoms related to the CCF and underwent additional surgical procedures (ophthalmic artery ligation and intraoperative embolization) without improvement. The third patient had traumatic occlusion of the internal carotid artery. After direct percutaneous puncture of the carotid artery above the occlusion, a catheter was advanced into the petrous internal carotid artery. Balloons (one case) or coil emboli (two cases) were placed into the cavernous sinus to produce CCF closure. There were no complications from this procedure. Direct puncture of the carotid artery is an alternative treatment for patients lacking safe access for CCF embolization.