Frontiers in Neurology (Sep 2022)

Case report: Spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula associated with persistent primitive trigeminal artery aneurysm rupture

  • Peng Sun,
  • Yuan Chai,
  • Wei Fang,
  • Hu Chen,
  • Qianfa Long,
  • Zhenwei Zhao,
  • Tao Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2022.923186
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

Read online

BackgroundThe incidence of carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) associated with persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA) aneurysm rupture is extremely rare. We presented a case about a spontaneous CCF secondary to a ruptured PPTA aneurysm, which was successfully embolized with coils and onyx-18 by a trans-arterial approach.Case presentationA 55-year-old female suffered a sudden onset of headache, left orbital pain, and pulsatile exophthalmos for a month without any history of trauma. Angiography revealed a left-sided CCF associated with a ruptured PPTA aneurysm, with major drainage to the ipsilateral superior ophthalmic vein. Through a trans-arterial approach, the fistula and ruptured PPTA aneurysm were embolized with coils and onyx-18, while the cavernous sinus and PPTA were well-preserved. However, the preserved PPTA vanished at 4 month follow-up. The patient had no neurological deficit from hospitalization to 1 year follow-up period.ConclusionTrans-arterial approach was a reasonable choice for spontaneous CCF associated with ruptured PPTA aneurysm. The requirement for PPTA preservation depended on individual evaluation.

Keywords