Spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas: phlebographic appearance and relation to thrombosis.
Six consecutive cases with spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistulas were examined with orbital phlebography and bilateral carotid angiography. One of the fistulas was fed only by one internal carotid artery, 1 only by the accessory meningeal branch of the maxillary artery, while 4 were supplied by external as well as internal carotid arteries. The findings at phlebography seem to be characteristic. Thrombosis was demonstrated in all 6 cases. Different mechanisms for the genesis of thrombosis in association with carotid-cavernous fistulas are proposed. Alternative therapy methods are discussed.
D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009915:Orbit / Q000098:blood supply*; D011859:Radiography; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000209:etiology