Diagnosis of traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula by monitoring venous oxygen saturation in the jugular bulb: report of two cases.
OBJECTIVE
A traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF) is rarely diagnosed early and may sometimes be missed until clinical signs and symptoms appear. The continuous monitoring of cerebral venous oxygen saturation may reveal the presence of a CCF by means of a fiberoptic catheter that records very high oxygen saturation values when positioned in the jugular bulb.


METHODS
We report two cases of early diagnosis of CCFs unexpectedly revealed by monitoring the jugular bulb for venous oxygen saturation values that approximated arterial saturation values. One case was diagnosed on Day 3 after admission, and the other was diagnosed shortly after cannulation of the ipsilateral jugular bulb.


METHODS
Confirmation of the diagnosis of CCF was obtained by angiography. Intravascular treatment was performed in one case.


CONCLUSIONS
These cases add another diagnostic role to cerebral venous oxygen saturation monitoring. When high cerebral venous oxygen saturation values rapidly or abruptly reach arterial oxygen saturation, the presence of a CCF must be considered and confirmed by arterial angiography.
Delle Corte
F
F
Institute of Anesthesiology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
Clemente
A
A
Mignani
V
V
Rollo
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*
D010100:Oxygen