Objective: To evaluate the treatment of carotid cavernous fistula with the transvenous approaches.
Methods: Seventeen patients (14 males and 3 males) with carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) were retrospectively analyzed.
Results: Totally 18 cavernous sinus of 17 patients were occluded. Nine operations were performed via inferior petrosal sinus approaches and 6 via the facial vein. One patient (bilateral fistula) received both two approaches. The fistula were completely occluded immediately after the procedures in 12 patients. Small shunts remained in four of other patients (2 pterygoid drainage and 2 inferior petrosal sinus, respectively). Facial vein catheterization failed because of vein vasospasm in one patient; his symptoms relieved 5 days later and angiography showed the CCF disappeared another 2 days later.
Conclusion: Transvenous embolization of CCF is effective, safe, and easy to perform.