Prognostic analysis and complications of traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas after treatment with detachable balloon and/or coil embolization.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the causes of the formation of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas and the therapeutic effect of detachable balloon and/or coil embolization and the prevention of its complications.


METHODS
From October, 1992 to March, 2002, 17 patients with traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas were treated with detachable balloon and/or coil embolization in our hospital. The clinical data and imaging features of CT, MR and selective angiogram of these patients were analyzed.


RESULTS
One week after treatment with embolization, the clinical symptoms of the 17 patients were remitted, and optic cacophony, nystagmus, exophthalmos and dropsy of conjunctiva disappeared. Two patients manifested surgical complications, one patient died. Sixteen patients survived. They were all followed up for more than 2 years, which showed one patient had handicap in movement, and in one patient the signs and symptoms of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas reoccurred 2 months after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The detachable balloon and/or coil embolization is safe and reliable. It is a good method to treat traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas.
Yang
Zhen-Jiu
ZJ
Department of Neurosurgery, People's Hospital of Shenzhen Nanshan, Shenzhen 518052, China. yangzhenjiu@163.com
Li
Hong-Wei
HW
Wu
Liang-Gui
LG
Zheng
Jun-Ning
JN
Zhang
Jia-Dong
JD
Shi
Xi-Wen
XW
Chu
Gong-Ren
GR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D020216:Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D002681:China; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications