[Endovascular management of cavernous sinus dural fistulas]

Abstract

Objective: Describe the outcomes of patients diagnosed with indirect carotid-cavernous fistula treated by endovascular methods.

Design: A retrospective case series.

Participants: Twelve patients with dural cavernous sinus fistula with important ophthalmologic involvement admitted and treated at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery between February 1990 and January 2005.

Intervention: Patients were managed by endovascular embolization for all fistulas.

Outcome measures: Angiographic controls to 24 hours and at 6 and 12 months were performed.

Results: 67 % were female and 33 % male. The mean age was 44 years. 67 % were spontaneous and 33% of traumatic origin. All patients had eye involvement with proptosis (92%) and involvement of the oculomotor nerve (67%). Headache and pulsatile tinnitus were not frequent ophthalmologic data. All were diagnosed by cerebral angiography, 33 % were type C, type D 67 %, and none of the type B classification Barrow. In 17 % of cases the distal arterial robbery showed severe. Predominance of anterior and superior venous drainage in 83 % and 42 % of cases occurred respectively. The surgical approach was arterial in 84% of cases, while in 17 % venous through the superior ophthalmic vein. Cyanoacrylate embolization material was used in 58 % of the cases, as it was associated with the use of removable ball with polyvinyl alcohol particles in 16 % in of venous approach cases. 17% detachable coils were utilized. There were no complications. After angiographic controls at 24 hours 100% occlusion was seen in patients treated with cyanoacrylate (58%) (p = 0.03). The remaining 42% were prescribed maneuver of manual compression. At 12-months angiography all patients had 100% occlusion of the carotid-cavernous fistula. CONCLSUIONS: This is the world's second largest series with indirect carotid-cavernous fistulas treated after trauma. 100 % of cases were cured with the use of a transarterial-controlled approach and N-butyl-cyanoacrylate after long-term observation.