Lessons learned from difficult or unsuccessful cannulations of the superior ophthalmic vein in the treatment of cavernous sinus dural fistulas.
OBJECTIVE
Retrograde cannulation of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) is an important route for embolization of cavernous sinus dural fistulas (CDF). We present our experience with technically difficult cases in which it was not possible to isolate or cannulate this vein.


METHODS
Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series.


METHODS
All patients diagnosed with dural CDF at the University of California Los Angeles Medical Center between January, 1993, and July, 2005, and who were treated with embolization via the SOV.


METHODS
The clinical records of all patients were reviewed.


METHODS
Patient demographics, clinical presentation, and surgical findings.


RESULTS
Of 91 patients diagnosed with CDF during the study period, 25 patients (16 females, 9 males; mean age, 59 years) were treated with embolization via the SOV. In 6 of them (24%; 4 women and 2 men; mean age, 67 years), there were significant difficulties in cannulation of the SOV or in successful closure of the fistula with this approach. Three patients had a fragile or a very small vein that could not be cannulated, and 1 of the 3 also had a large, posteriorly located varix that bled extensively on attempted cannulation. In 2 other patients, the anterior segment of the SOV was clotted and the catheter could not be threaded. In 1 patient, an inferior location of the supraorbital vein resulted in difficulties in correct identification of the SOV.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the SOV is a useful route for CDF embolization, the presence of fragile or clotted veins can preclude successful cannulation. Deeper orbital dissections carry a higher risk of uncontrolled bleeding and should be avoided, especially in older patients with fragile veins and those with recently diagnosed high-flow fistulas.
Leibovitch
Igal
I
Division of Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, Jules Stein Eye Institute, and Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-7006, USA. leiboiga15@yahoo.com.au
Modjtahedi
Sara
S
Duckwiler
Gary R
GR
Goldberg
Robert A
RA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D020216:Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000002:abnormalities; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000098:blood supply*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014680:Veins