Multimodal MRI diagnosis and transvenous embolization of a basicranial emissary vein dural arteriovenous fistula:A case report

A dural arteriovenous fistula(DAVF) is an abnormal linkage connecting the arterial and venous systems within the intracranial dura mater. A basicranial emissary vein DAVF drains into the cavernous sinus and the ophthalmic vein, similar to a cavernous sinus DAVF. Precise preoperative identification of the DAVF location is a prerequisite for appropriate treatment. Treatment options include microsurgical disconnection, endovascular transarterial embolization(TAE), transvenous embolization(TVE), or a combination thereof. TVE is an increasingly popular approach for the treatment of DAVFs and the preferred approach for skull base locations, due to the risk of cranial neuropathy caused by dangerous anastomosis from arterial approaches. Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) can provide anatomical and hemodynamic information for TVE. The therapeutic target must be precisely embolized in the emissary vein, which requires guidance via multimodal MRI. Here, we report a rare case of successful TVE for a basicranial emissary vein DAVF, utilizing multimodal MRI assistance. The fistula had vanished, pterygoid plexus drainage had improved, and the inferior petrosal sinus had recanalized, as observed on 8-month follow-up angiography. Symptoms and signs of double vision, caused by abduction deficiency, disappeared. Detailed anatomic and hemodynamic assessment by multimodal MRI is the key to guiding successful diagnosis and treatment.

Transvenous Embolization of Carotid Cavernous Fistula by Sequential Occlusion of the Cavernous Sinus

Objective Introduction When we perform transvenous embolization of carotid cavernous fistula, we selectively occluded the venous outflow to the retrograde cortical venous drainage and retrograde ophthalmic venous drainage as the initial steps before the rest of the cavernous sinus. The rationale is to prevent re-diversion of flow into the ophthalmic veins and cortical veins in a subtotally occluded carotid cavernous fistula.Method From 1997 to 2004, a total of 46 patients with carotid cavernous fistula were treated by transvenous embolization using the proposed selective occlusion strategy. There were 6 direct and 40 dural cartoid cavernous fistulae. The embolic agents were Guglielmi detachable coils and fibered platinum coils. Transvenous embolization routes included inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) alone (32 patients), IPS and intercavernous sinus (9 patients), and superior ophthalmic vein (5 patients).Result The follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 7 years. One patient developed retinal hemorrhage due to ophthalic vein thrombosis one week after the embolization procedure. Two patients had transient ophthalmoplegia and 2 patients had symptomatic recurrence of the carotid cavernous fistula during the follow-up. Clinical cure was achieved in 44 patients (96%).Conclusion The sequential occlusion strategy offers a safe and effective method in the transvenous embolization of carotid cavernous fistula.

Transvenous treatment of a complex cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula secondary to balloon embolization of a traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula

Although recurrent traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula （CCF） and its treatment have beenreported sporadically,^1 a complex cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula （DAVF） secondary to balloon embolization of a direct traumatic CCF is rare. In 2005, we treated such a case via transvenous approach using coils and N-buty-2- cyanoacrylate （NBCA）. The causes of recurrent cavernous sinus DAVF and its endovascular approach are discussed.