Imaging-Guided Superior Ophthalmic Vein Access for Embolization of Dural Carotid Cavernous Fistulas: Report of 20 Cases and Review of the Literature

Endovascular treatment in bilateral cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Few studies have discussed the disease nature and treatment outcomes for bilateral cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CSDAVF). This study aimed to investigate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of bilateral CSDAVF. Embase, Medline, and Cochrane library were searched for studies that specified the outcomes of bilateral CSDAVF from inception to April 2022. The classification, clinical presentation, angiographic feature, surgical approach, and treatment outcomes were collected. Meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model. Eight studies reporting 97 patients were included. The clinical presentation was mainly orbital (n = 80), cavernous (n = 52) and cerebral (n = 5) symptoms. The most approached surgical route was inferior petrosal sinus (n = 80), followed by superior orbital vein (n = 10), and alternative approach (n = 7). Clinical symptoms of 88% of the patients (95% CI 80-93%, I² = 0%) were cured, and 82% (95% CI 70-90%, I² = 7%) had angiographic complete obliteration of fistulas during follow up. The overall complication rate was 18% (95% CI 11-27%, I² = 0%). Therefore, endovascular treatment is an effective treatment for bilateral CSDAVF regarding clinical or angiographic outcomes. However, detailed evaluation of preoperative images and comprehensive surgical planning of the approach route are mandatory owing to complexity of the lesions.

Direct puncture the superior ophthalmic vein guiding by Dyna-CT to obliterating a traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (TCCF) is a pathological shunt between the carotid arteries and cavernous sinus due to trauma. Imaging-guided (e.g., ultrasonic image and fluoroscopic roadmap image) direct puncture of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) for embolization of TCCF has been previously described in other studies.

PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS

We report a case of TCCF in a 58-years-old male patient who was admitted to our hospital with a sustained head injury after falling from a high platform, resulting in rapidly progressive swelling, pain, diminishing vision for more than 6 months, and blindness in his left eye for 1 month.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES

The patient underwent digital subtraction angiography and endovascular embolization. After the failure of super-selection of the left cavernous sinus, an alternative approach to obliterating the TCCF by puncturing the SOV is directly guided by Dyna-CT. After embolization, the patient's clinical symptoms gradually disappeared and discharged from the hospital 5 days later. No recurrence or complications occurred during follow-up for 1 year.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrates that direct puncture of the SOV guided by Dyna-CT as an alternative approach to embolization of TCCF is safe, effective, and feasible.

Salvage transorbital approach for the endovascular treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas

PURPOSE

Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal connections between the cavernous sinus (CS) and carotid arteries. In direct CCFs, a transarterial route is often the preferred vascular access; in case of indirect CCFs, the complex anatomy of the feeder vessels and their extra-intracranial anastomosis makes the transarterial embolization challenging and often ineffective. The aim of this study was to review our experience with the transorbital approach to treat patients affected by CCF who have already experienced an endovascular failure procedure, in order to assess this salvage technique feasibility, by analyzing possible risks and complications.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study of all patients affected by CCFs who underwent transorbital embolization between February 2017 and February 2019 at our institution.

RESULTS

All patients (3 cases) tolerated both the retrograde embolization and the direct surgical approach with clinical improvement; the closure of the fistula was complete and verified intraoperatively by angiography. Esthetic result was acceptable in all cases with reduction of the proptosis and the intraocular pressure, and increased visual acuity. There were no complications or clinical recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Transorbital approach for the endovascular treatment of CCFs is a feasible and safe salvage procedure, which can find indication after other endovascular access failures.

Endovascular Treatment of Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae: Review of the Literature and Current Status

Cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulae (CSdAVFs) are characterized by the shunts between dural arteries and dural veins surrounding the cavernous sinus (CS), causing ocular symptoms in addition to intracranial hemorrhage and infarction. As surgical access is difficult, endovascular treatment (EVT) has been considered and performed as the first-line therapy for decades. Although there have been recent advances in techniques and devices, transvenous embolization (TVE) with platinum coils remains the most common procedure. There are multiple access routes to the CS, such as the inferior petrosal sinus, superior ophthalmic vein (SOV), and intercavernous sinus from the contralateral CS. To extirpate the shunt, packing the entire sinus with coils is adopted, occasionally resulting in persistent cranial nerve palsy (CNP) due to compression of the coil mass. To avoid this complication, selective shunt occlusion (SSO), in which the coils are placed in the shunted pouch (SP) defined by the small restricted space where the arterial flow converges, is an effective and safe method. Transarterial embolization (TAE) is another option and use of liquid embolic materials, such as Onyx may be promising; however, the potential risk of ischemic nerve injury due to undesirable ante/retrograde influx of the liquid materials is of concern. In conclusion, EVT, especially TVE, is a safe and effective method for managing CSdAVFs. Understanding the angioanatomy consisting of the feeding artery, shunt point, and the drainage route, including the latent vessels, is essential for a good outcome.

Transvenous embolization of bilateral indirect carotid-cavernous fistulas via a unilateral transorbital approach

A 73-year-old man with a complex ophthalmologic history presented with several weeks of worsening diplopia, visual acuity, and proptosis bilaterally. Cerebral angiography demonstrated bilateral indirect Barrow type B carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). Transarterial embolization was not attempted due to small arterial diameter and risk of stroke. Multiple attempts were made to access the fistula via a transfemoral venous approach and were unsuccessful. A transorbital puncture was performed, which allowed access to both cavernous sinuses via a unilateral approach. After embolization with Onyx, there was no residual fistula. The patient had a left-sided retrobulbar hematoma from the access. Right eye vision improved postoperatively.

Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Access to the Superior Ophthalmic Vein for Embolization of a Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula

The treatment of symptomatic cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula, an unusually occluded cavernous sinus, is by a transvenous approach through the inferior petrosal sinus and superior ophthalmic vein. If these two modes of conventional transvenous access are not possible, surgical exposure and/or direct puncture access to the superior ophthalmic vein or cavernous sinus have been previously described. In a patient with progressive ophthalmological problems, the goal of treatment is to not only cure the ophthalmic symptoms but also to conserve or improve visual acuity, so treatment is needed as soon as possible. We report a 68-year-old woman suffering a Barrow type D cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula. In this case, inadequate, inferior petrosal sinus embolization and lack of access for superior ophthalmic vein via a facial vein preceded percutaneous puncture under sonographic guidance of the superior ophthalmic vein. This permitted venous occlusion without complications and symptom-free for 11 months.

Endovascular treatment of the cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula: current status and considerations

A cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CS-DAVF) is an abnormal arteriovenous communication involving the dura mater within or near the CS wall. The dural arteries from the internal carotid artery and external carotid artery supply the CS-DAVF, and the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) and inferior petrous sinus (IPS) are frequent venous drainers. In CS-DAVF cases, high-risk lesions require treatment. Endovascular treatment (EVT) has been the first-line option for CS-DAVFs. To our knowledge, a review of the EVT of CS-DAVFs is lacking. Therefore, in this paper, we review the available literature on this issue. In addition, some illustrative cases are also provided to more concisely expound the EVT of CS-DAVFs. According to the recent literature, transvenous embolization via the IPS is considered the most effective method for EVT of CS-DAVFs. In addition, the transorbital approach is another reasonable choice. Other venous approaches can also be tried. Because of the low cure rate, transarterial embolization for CS-DAVFs is limited to only highly selected patients. In the EVT of CS-DAVFs, various agents have been used, including coil, Onyx, and n-butyl cyanoacrylate, with coil being the preferred one. In addition, when EVT cannot obliterate the CS-DAVF, stereotactic radiotherapy may be considered. In general, despite various complications, EVT is a feasible and effective method to manage CS-DAVFs by way of various access routes and can yield a good prognosis.

Impact of transvenous embolization via superior ophthalmic vein on reducing the total number of coils used for patients with cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula

Although transvenous embolization (TVE) via the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) is adopted in treating cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CS DAVF), its effect on the coil volume is rarely understood. The purpose of the study was to investigate if there is a difference in the total number of coils used and in patient safety when comparing two access strategies. We retrospectively reviewed charts for patients with CS DAVF treated with TVE between January 2008 and March 2018. The baseline patient characteristics, details of procedure, placed coils, and clinical results were compared. A total of 42 patients with CS DAVF were treated with the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) (n = 32) or SOV (n = 10) approach. TVE via SOV showed a high success rate of 100% (10/10) by transfemoral access. The total number (23 versus 11; P < 0.001), length (159 versus 81 cm; P = 0.003), and volume of placed coils (111 versus 46 mm³; P = 0.005) were significantly lower in patients treated via SOV. Patients treated via SOV had significantly higher initial intrasinus pressure (49 versus 59 mmHg; P = 0.022) obtained by microcatheters; however, no adverse events occurred related to elevated sinus pressure between both approaches. Procedural complications and cranial nerve palsy outcomes were not significantly different. In cases with a visualized pathway to the SOV, this approach should be preferred, in all other cases standard approach via the IPS should be used, even if it cannot be visualized.