Pseudoaneurysm formation following transarterial embolization of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula with detachable balloon:An institutional cohort long-term study

BACKGROUND The goal of therapy for traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula(TCCF)is the elimination of fistula while maintaining patency of the parent artery.The treatment for TCCF has evolved from surgery to endovascular management using detachable balloons,coils,liquid embolic agents,covered stents,or flow-diverter stent through arterial or venous approaches.Despite the withdrawal of detachable balloons from the market in the United States since 2004,transarterial embolization with detachable balloons has currently remained the best initial treatment for TCCF in several countries.However,the pseudoaneurysm formation following transarterial detachable balloon embolization has rarely been observed in long-term follow-up.AIM To determine the occurrence and long-term follow-up of pseudoaneurysm after transarterial detachable balloon for TCCF.METHODS Between January 2009 and December 2019,79 patients diagnosed with TCCF were treated using detachable latex balloons(GOLDBAL)of four sizes.Pseudoaneurysm sizes were stratified into five grades for analysis.Initial and follow-up assessments involved computed tomography angiography at 1 month,6 month,1 year,and longer intervals for significant cases.Clinical follow-ups occurred semi-annually for 2 years,then annually.Factors analyzed included sex,age,fistula size and location,and balloon size.RESULTS In our cohort of 79 patients treated for TCCF,pseudoaneurysms formed in 67.1%,with classifications ranging from grade 0 to grade 3;no grade 4 or giant pseudoaneurysms were observed.The majority of pseudoaneurysms did not progress in size,and some regressed spontaneously.Calcifications developed in most large pseudoaneurysms over 5-10 years.Parent artery occlusion occurred in 7.6%and recurrent fistulas in 16.5%.The primary risk factors for pseudoaneurysm formation were identified as the use of specific balloon sizes,with balloon SP and No.6 significantly associated with its occurrence(P=0.005 and P=0.002,respectively),whereas sex,age,fistula size,location,and the number of balloons used were not significant predictors.CONCLUSION Pseudoaneurysm formation following detachable balloon embolization for TCCF is common,primarily influenced by the size of the balloon used.Despite this,all patients with pseudoaneurysms remained asymptomatic during long-term follow-up.

Carotid-cavernous fistula following mechanical thrombectomy of the tortuous internal carotid artery:A case report

BACKGROUND A carotid-cavernous fistula(CCF)is an abnormal connection between the internal carotid artery(ICA)and the cavernous sinus.Although direct CCFs typically result from trauma or as an iatrogenic complication of neuroendovascular procedures,they can occur as surgery-related complications after mechanical thrombectomy(MT).With the widespread use of MT in patients with acute ischemic stroke complicated with large vessel occlusion,it is important to document CCF following MT and how to avoid them.In this study,we present a case of a patient who developed a CCF following MT and describe in detail the characteristics of ICA tortuosity in this case.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old woman experienced weakness in the left upper and lower limbs as well as difficulty speaking for 4 h.The neurological examination revealed left central facial paralysis and left hemiplegia,with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 9.Head magnetic resonance imaging revealed an acute cerebral infarction in the right basal ganglia and radial crown.Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated an occlusion of the right ICA and middle cerebral artery.Digital subtraction angiography demonstrated distal occlusion of the cervical segment of the right ICA.We performed suction combined with stent thrombectomy.Then,postoperative angiography was performed,which showed a right CCF.One month later,CCF embolization was performed,and the patient’s clinical symptoms have significantly improved 5 mo after the operation.CONCLUSION Although a CCF is a rare complication after MT,it should be considered.Understanding the tortuosity of the internal carotid-cavernous sinus may help predict the complexity of MT and avoid this complication.

Endovascular management of carotid-cavernous fistulas

Objective To investigate endovascular treatment of traumatic direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) and their complications such as pseudoaneurysms. Methods: Over a five-year period, 22 patients with traumatic direct CCFs were treated endovascularly in our institution. Thirteen patients were treated once with the result of CCF occluded, 8 twice and 1 three times. Treatment modalities included balloon occlusion of the CCF, sacrifice of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery with detachable balloon, coil embolization of the cavernous sinus and secondary pseudoaneurysms, and covered-stent management of the pseudoaneurysms. Results All the direct CCFs were successfully managed endovascularly. Four patients developed a pseudoaneurysm after the occlusion of the CCF with an incidence of pseudoaneurysm formation of 18.2% (4/22). A total number of 8 patients experienced permanent occlusion of the ICA with a rate of ICA occlusion reaching 36.4% (8/22). Followed up through telephone consultation from 6 months to 5 years, all did well with no recurrence of CCF symptoms and signs. Conclusion Traumatic direct CCFs can be successfully managed with endovascular means. The pseudoaneurysms secondary to the occlusion of the CCFs can be occluded with stent-assisted coiling and implantation of covered stents.

Transarterial embolization of carotid-cavernous sinus fistula associated with a primitive trigeminal artery-case report

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We evaluated our experience in placing detachable coils in the management of spontaneous CCFs due to rupture of a primitive trigeminal artery. Methods A 48-year-old female presented with right conjunctival chemosis and right abducens nerve paresis. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a right carotid-cavernous sinus fistula associated with persistent primitive trigeminal artery. Transvenous routes to the sinus were failed due to the tortuous facial vein. The fistula was treated by Matrix detachable coils and Fibered detachable coils through the transarterial approach. Results The patient was successfully treated by means of transarterial embolization, and symptoms improved within a week. Conclusions Although other techniques using a transvenous approach may also be useful, transarterial embolization with detachable coils should be a safe and effective method to immediately occlude the fistula.

Management of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula

Sixty-eight patients with traumatic carotid-cavemous fistula (TCCF) were treated by intravascular embolization. All patients were cured and 94.1% of internal carotid arteries were preserved. Proptosis, bruit and chemosis disappeared following embolization. The diagnosis and management of TCCF are also evaluated.

Diagnosis and endovascular treatment of spontaneous direct carotid-cavernous fistula

Background Spontaneous direct carotid-cavernous fistula （CCF） is relatively rare and few reports have been found in the literature. The aim of this paper was to report the clinical characteristics, imaging findings and curative effect of endovascular treatment for patients with spontaneous direct CCF. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of nine patients with spontaneous direct CCF admitted between May 2003 and November 2007 and the outcomes.of endovascular treatment. Sudden neuro-ophthalmological symptoms were the most common clinical presentation at diagnosis （n=8）. No patients had a history of head trauma. Cerebral digital subtraction angiography （DSA） was performed on all cases under local anesthesia and seven cases received endovascular treatment. Results In eight patients, internal carotid angiograms recorded during the early arterial phase revealed aneurysms located in the cavernous sinuses, and in one patient, a dilated internal carotid artery （ICA） was seen. Among the nine cases, seven received endovascular treatment via a transarterial approach and complete occlusion of the fistula was obtained with no technique-related complications, one died suddenly before treatment and one gave up treatment. A detachable balloon was used as the embolic material in two cases, a detachable balloon and detachable coil as the embolic material in two cases, balloon-assisted coil embolization in two cases and covered stents were successfully placed in the parent vessel to exclude the aneurysm and fistula from circulation in one case. During a follow-up period of 3-48 months, all treated patients remained asymptomatic except for one patient who suffered from ipsilateral decreased vision. Conclusions Most spontaneous direct CCF may be caused by a ruptured intracavernous aneurysm with direct shunting into the cavernous sinus. Endovascular treatment seems to be a safe and effective method for treating spontaneous direct CCF.

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.

Dissection-related carotid-cavernous fistula(CCF)following surgical revascularization of chronic internal carotid artery occlusion:a new subtype of CCF and proposed management

Background:The development of carotid-cavernous fistulas(CCFs)during surgical recanalization of chronic internal carotid artery occlusion(ICAO)may be secondary to severe ICA dissection rather than a focal tear of the cavernous ICA seen in typical traumatic CCFs.The purpose of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between the CCFs and severe ICA dissections and to characterize technical outcomes after treatment with stenting.Methods:Five patients underwent treatment with self-expanding stents due to intraprocedural CCF and ICA dissection following surgical removal of ICAO plaque.The stents were telescopically placed via true channel of the dissection.Safety of the procedure was evaluated with 30-day stroke and death rate.Procedural success was determined by the efficacy of CCF obliteration and ICAO recanalization with angiography.Results:All CCFs were associated with spiral and long segmental dissection from the cervical to cavernous ICA.After stenting,successful dissection reconstruction with TICI 3 was achieved in all patients,with complete(n=4)or partial CCF(n=1)obliteration.No patient had CCF syndrome,stroke,or death during follow-up of 6 to 37 months;but one patient had pulsatile tinnitus,which resolved 1 year later.Angiography at 6 to 24 months demonstrated CCF obliteration in all 5 patients and durable ICA patency in 4 patients.Conclusions:Intraprocedural CCFs with spiral and cervical-to-cavernous ICA dissection during ICAO surgery are dissection-related because of successful obliteration after stenting for dissection reconstruction.Self-expanding stenting through true channel of the dissection,serving as implanting stent-autograft,may be an optimal therapy for the atypical CCF complication from ICAO surgery.

Management of Carotid Carvenous Fistula in Ghana;Challenges and Opportunities

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.

Endovascular treatment of a giant internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysm with drainage into cavernous sinus

This report documents the treatment of a giant aneurysm of the internal carotid artery bifurcation with a fistula to the cavernous sinus, which appeared following closed head trauma. A 39-year-old man suffered from a blunt head trauma in an automobile accident. Two weeks after the trauma, progressive chemosis of left eye was presented. Four months after the trauma, digital subtraction angiography showed an internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysm, with drainage into the cavernous sinus. The lesion was successfully obliterated with preservation of the parent artery by using coils in conjunction with Onyx. Follow-up angiography obtained 3 months postoperatively revealed persistent obliteration of the aneurysm and fistula as well as patency of the parent artery. Endovascular treatment involving the use of coils combined with Onyx anneam to be a feasible and effective o[}tion for treatment of this hard-to-treat lesion.