Surgical Sparing and Pairing Endovascular Interventions for Carotid-Cavernous Fistula: Case Series and Review of the Literature

Transorbital embolization of cavernous sinus dural arterio-venous malformations with surgical exposure and catheterization of the superior ophthalmic vein

PURPOSE

Cavernous sinus dural arterio-venous malformations (dAVF) represent a pathologic connection between branches of the internal and/or external carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. Standard endovascular approaches for dAVF treatment are transvenous embolization through the inferior petrosal sinus or the facial vein and transarterial embolization. These approaches are not always successful or feasible, and alternative techniques are required. Here, we present a case series of a minimally invasive transorbital approach with surgical exposure and catheterization of the superior ophthalmic vein for transvenous fistula coiling.

METHODS

14 patients with dAVFs (Barrow Type B to D) that were treated at a tertiary care medical center over a period of 13 years were included in the study. Patients with persisting dAVF associated symptoms were selected for this approach when conventional endovascular interventions were not successful or not feasible. The surgical procedure was performed under general anaesthesia.

RESULTS

A successful transorbital approach was performed in all 14 cases. In 12 of 14 patients a catheter assisted successful embolization of the fistula was performed using platinum coils with no relevant residual fistula flow. In two cases, a spontaneous thrombosis of the fistula during the surgical procedure required no further embolization. No postoperative therapy-associated complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

The described approach is an effective method to embolize dAVFs in selected cases when catheter assisted transvenous and/or transarterial embolization is not successful or not feasible. In this case series we demonstrate an excellent success rate with no therapy-associated major complications.

A case report of multi-step management of extracranial carotid artery aneurysm and carotid-cavernous fistula combination in patients

Extracranial carotid artery aneurysms (ECAA) and carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) are rare arterial pathologies with severe complications and increased risk of mortality. The optimal treatment approach for this combined condition is a topic of debate among neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists, and a standardized treatment protocol has yet to be established. The aim of this case report was to demonstrate the management of a rare combination of ECAA and CCF in patients. The treatment strategy included a two-step procedure of endovascular embolization of CCF followed by dual antiplatelet therapy and endovascular stenting of an aneurysm. Control angiograms showed the exclusion of an aneurysm from the blood circulation and CCF symptoms were resolved.

Use of a Rigid-Tipped Microguidewire for the Endovascular Treatment of Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas with an Occluded Inferior Petrosal Sinus

OBJECTIVE

Transvenous embolization (TVE) via an occluded inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) in a cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CSDAVF) is challenging, often requiring navigation of a microcatheter through resistive obstacles between the occluded IPS and shunted pouch (SP), although the reopening technique was successfully performed. We report five cases of successful access to the cavernous sinus (CS) or SP using the rigid-tipped microguidewire such as chronic total occlusion (CTO) wire aiming to share our initial experience with this wire.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, four patients with CSDAVF underwent five procedures using the CTO wire puncture during transfemoral transvenous coil embolization. Puncture success, shunt occlusion, and complications including any hemorrhage and cranial nerve palsy were evaluated.

RESULTS

Despite successful access through the occluded IPS, further entry into the target area using neurointerventional devices was impossible due to a short-segment stricture before the CS (three cases) and a membranous barrier within the CS (two cases). However, puncturing these structures using the rigid-tipped microguidewire was successful in all cases. We could advance the microcatheter over the rigid-tipped microguidewire for the navigation to the SP and achieved complete occlusion of the SP without complications.

CONCLUSION

The use of the rigid-tipped microguidewire in the TVE via the occluded IPS of the CSDAVF would be feasible and safe.

First reported single-surgeon transpalpebral hybrid approach for indirect cavernous carotid fistula: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Failure to reach the cavernous sinus after multiple transvenous attempts, although rare, can be challenging for neurointerventionists. The authors sought to demonstrate technical considerations and nuances of the independent performance of a novel hybrid surgical and endovascular transpalpebral approach through the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) for direct coil embolization of an indirect carotid cavernous fistula (CCF), and they review salient literature regarding the transpalpebral approach.

OBSERVATIONS

An illustrative case, including patient history and presentation, was reviewed. PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases were searched for articles published between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 2021, that reported ≥1 patient with a CCF treated endovascularly via the SOV approach. Data extracted included sample size, treatment modality, surgical technique, performing surgeon specialty, and procedure outcome. The authors’ case illustration demonstrates the technique for the hybrid transpalpebral approach. For the review, 273 unique articles were identified; 14 containing 74 treated patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Oculoplastic surgery was the most commonly involved specialty (5 of 14 studies), followed by ophthalmology (3 of 14). Coiling alone was the treatment of choice in 12 studies, with adjunctive use of Onyx (Medtronic) in 2.

LESSONS

The authors’ technical case description, video, illustrations, and review provide endovascular neurosurgeons with a systematic guide to conduct the procedure independently.

Gaining Access to the Superior Ophthalmic Vein for Endovascular Embolization of Indirect Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas

ABSTRACT

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal connections between the carotid arterial system and the cavernous sinus. These acquired vascular malformations may result in severe orbital congestion and sight-threatening complications. The authors present their experience in gaining access to the superior ophthalmic vein to embolize indirect CCFs in three different patients. Surgical exposure and cannulation of the SOV were successful in all 3 cases. One patient developed an orbital compartment syndrome towards the end of the embolization process, after the irrigation cannula was inadvertently dislodged from the SOV. He required a lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis but did not suffer from any related sequelae. Signs and symptoms resolved gradually in all patients and cosmetic results were excellent. In our experience, the SOV offers a reliable access to indirect CCFs, but patients should be monitored closely during the embolization process to prevent ophthalmic complications.