The study evaluated the efficiency of intravascular embolization of posttraumatic direct carotid-cavernous fistula.

The analysis was conducted in 13 patients with carotid-cavernous fistula (mean age 46 years) treated with intravascular embolization between 2005 – 2011. In all patients the diagnosis was established based on the typical clinical symptoms, including exophthalmia,conjunctival congestion, progressive ophthalmoplegia, pulsatile tinnitus, and imaging examination findings. All patients had been assessed by both, a neurologist andneurosurgeon,and some of them by an ophthalmologist. Nine patients underwent CT angiography, and four MR angiography. Each time intravascular procedure was preceded by bilateral selective angiography (DSA) of both internal...

In all patients technical success was achieved and carotid-cavernous fistulas were closed. Two patients (1 treated with LAC and another one in whom ICA was occluded) developed ischemic stroke. In case of the patient with primary symptoms of stroke, the condition deteriorated. In 7 patients clinical symptoms of carotid-cavernous fistula released up to 24 hours postoperatively, in 4 of these recanalization was diagnosed during one month after procedures. These patients underwent successful reembolization. In 4 patients, who underwent embolization more than two weeks after the...

Intravascularembolization of CCFis an effectiveanf safe procedure of treatment,preserving normal blood flow through the internal carotid artery and should be methodof choice. Due to the clinical symptoms and possible irreversible blindness, it should be performed in the shortest time after the onset of symptoms.

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