Spontaneous intracerebral hematoma from transient occult carotid-cavernous fistula: a case report

Delayed intracerebral hemorrhage from a traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula associated with an enucleated orbit

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) from a traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is a rare occurrence with few cases reported in the literature. Patients classically present shortly after the inciting trauma with symptoms of ocular venous hypertension. We report a case of an ICH due to delayed rupture of a venous aneurysm from a CCF in a patient with decades-old history of enucleation of the left globe secondary to trauma with no sentinel symptoms. Our patient represents a unique presentation of a rare pathology. This case highlights the need for ongoing surveillance in patients with a history of severe craniofacial trauma, as ICH from ruptured CCF(s) demands emergent treatment due to the potential for rapid neurological deterioration.

Spontaneous resolution of direct carotid-cavernous fistulas: case series and literature review

Spontaneous regression of direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) is extremely rare. Most of the patients with direct CCFs are usually treated using endovascular techniques. Spontaneous obliteration of the direct fistulas probably results from thrombosis of the venous drainage and/or cavernous sinus. We report spontaneous closure of nine direct CCFs in nine patients. From literature review, we found another 37 patients with 43 fistulas due to spontaneous obliteration of bilateral lesions in six cases. There was no spontaneous closure in large-sized fistula. The factors associated with spontaneous thrombosis of the fistulas may be low-flow and small-sized fistula, hypotension, severe ocular manifestations, dissections or spasm of carotid artery, and increased intracranial pressure. Spontaneous healing of direct traumatic CCFs should be confirmed with cerebral angiography. Conservative treatment of direct CCFs should be carefully restricted in patients with normal vision or minimal visual impairment, and the patients must be monitored closely for any changes in visual function. Prompt endovascular treatment for complete obliteration of the fistula should be performed in patients with rapidly progressive visual loss. Venous thrombosis can still effect vision and rerouting towards cortical veins remains a concern. Because spontaneous resolution cannot be reliably predicted, the fistula then should be treated rather than waiting for spontaneous thrombosis.

Cerebellar Hemorrhage due to a Direct Carotid-Cavernous Fistula after Surgery for Maxillary Cancer

Infratentorial cerebral hemorrhage due to a direct carotid–cavernous fistula (CCF) is very rare. To our knowledge, only four such cases have been reported. Cerebellar hemorrhage due to a direct CCF has not been reported. We describe a 63-year-old female who presented with reduced consciousness 3 days after undergoing a maxillectomy for maxillary cancer. Computed tomography showed a cerebellar hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance angiography showed a left-sided direct CCF draining into the left petrosal and cerebellar veins through the left superior petrosal sinus (SPS). Her previous surgery had sacrificed the pterygoid plexus and facial vein. Increased blood flow and reduced drainage could have led to increased venous pressure in infratentorial veins, including the petrosal and cerebellar veins. The cavernous sinus has several drainage routes, but the SPS is one of the most important routes for infratentorial venous drainage. Stenosis or absence of the posterior segment of the SPS can also result in increased pressure in the cerebellar and pontine veins. We emphasize that a direct CCF with cortical venous reflux should be precisely evaluated to determine the hemodynamic status and venous drainage from the cavernous sinus.