Surgical transvenous embolization of a carotid-cavernous dural fistula with cortical drainage via a petrosal vein: two technical case reports.
OBJECTIVE
We present two interesting cases involving carotid-cavernous dural fistulae draining only or predominantly into the petrosal vein after previous incomplete, complicated, endovascular treatments. Transvenous embolization with Guglielmi detachable coils, via the petrosal vein, during surgical exposure completely obliterated the fistulae.


METHODS
A 64-year-old man manifesting left ocular symptoms after incomplete embolization of a left carotid-cavernous dural fistula and a 56-year-old woman manifesting left hemiparesis after complicated embolization of a right carotid-cavernous dural fistula were referred to our hospital. A percutaneous transvenous approach was attempted in both cases, but the catheter could not reach the fistula site. A combined open surgical and endovascular approach was then used.


METHODS
The hemispheric branch of the petrosal vein was exposed via a retromastoid craniectomy. The catheter was then directly introduced into the hemispheric branch, followed by navigation into the fistula site. The fistula was completely embolized with Guglielmi detachable coils.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique of surgical transvenous embolization via a petrosal vein is a valuable alternative for the treatment of carotid-cavernous dural fistulae that drain only or predominantly into the petrosal vein, when the percutaneous transvenous route is not accessible.
Hara
Tsuyoshi
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Honjo, Kumamoto, Japan.
Hamada
Jun-ichiro
J
Kai
Yutaka
Y
Ushio
Yukitaka
Y
D020216:Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000098:blood supply*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000098:blood supply; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014680:Veins / Q000503:physiopathology