Posttraumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula.

Publication/Presentation Date

1-1-1999

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Posttraumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula is a rare complication of maxillofacial trauma and is seldom discussed in the literature. Motor vehicle accidents, falls, and other crush injuries contribute to the incidence of basilar skull fractures and the formation of fistulae. When injuries occur in the vessel wall, the carotid artery has the potential to fill the low-pressure cavernous sinus. The symptoms include chemosis, proptosis, pulsating exophthalmos, diplopia, ophthalmoplegia, orbital pain, audible bruits, and blindness.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: The conventional treatments include carotid ligation and embolization. These techniques have often proved to be ineffective. A new method--the occlusive balloon technique--has been developed and is described in this article. A clinical case is used to illustrate the procedure.

RESULTS AND/OR CONCLUSIONS: Utilization of balloon catheters provides a minimally invasive technique to treat patients, without significant morbidity or mortality. The procedure is found to be successful and predictable.

Volume

5

Issue

1

First Page

39

Last Page

44

ISSN

1074-3219

Disciplines

Diagnosis | Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Radiology

PubMedID

11951223

Department(s)

Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Medical Imaging

Document Type

Article

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