title: Spontaneous direct carotid-cavernous fistula in childhood.
abstract: We report the occurrence, surgical treatment and long-term follow-up of a spontaneous, direct carotid-cavernous fistula in a child. It is the third angiographically documented, spontaneously occurring fistula to be reported in this age group and the first to arise directly from the internal carotid artery based on our review of the literature. Although our patient required fistula closure, other reported fistulae were nonprogressive and did not require treatment. The communication between the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus was left sided while the contralateral eye was proptotic. The clinical features, selected hemodynamic characteristics, and treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Gossman
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Berlin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000473:pathology; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009915:Orbit / Q000098:blood supply