Caroticocavernous Fistulae: Clinical Presentation, Imaging, and Endovascular Treatment

Abstract

Caroticocavernous fistulas (CCFs) occur due to an abnormal communication between the high-pressure carotid artery system and the relatively lower pressure cavernous sinus system. They present with dramatic clinical presentations comprising among other things a swollen red eye with associated loss of vision to a varying degree. Blunt trauma sustained to the head, especially by two-wheeler riders, is the most common cause of the direct CCF and hence a practicing interventional radiologist in a developing country is very likely to encounter this entity in clinical practice. The authors intend to present a pictorial essay of the clinical presentations, imaging findings, endovascular management, and clinical follow-up for CCFs.

Keywords

• caroticocavernous fistula
• proptosis
• embolization