Traumatic fistula between the middle meningeal artery and the sphenoparietal sinus.
OBJECTIVE
Post-traumatic fistulas between the middle meningeal artery and the cranial venous system are extremely rare. We describe clinical presentation and successful endovascular management of a case of post-traumatic fistula between the middle meningeal artery and the sphenoparietal sinus.


METHODS
A 53-year-old man was admitted with multiple brain contusions and a temporoparietal fracture after a head trauma. On day 3 after trauma he developed unilateral signs of a cavernous sinus syndrome. Digital subtraction angiography showed a fistula between the middle meningeal artery and the sphenoparietal sinus.


RESULTS
The fistula was occluded by endovascular coil embolization, resulting in complete remission of the clinical symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
A high index of suspicion is necessary to detect subtle signs of venous congestion of the cavernous sinus in an intubated patient. Angiography is the diagnostic modality of choice and should include the selective investigation of the external carotid artery vascular territory. Endovascular therapy provides minimal invasive and definitive treatment of this rare condition.
Unterhofer
Claudia
C
Clinical Department of Neurosurgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. claudia.unterhofer@i-med.ac.at
Chemelli
Andreas
A
Waldenberger
Peter
P
Bauer
Richard
R
Ortler
Martin
M
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D020226:Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D003392:Cranial Sinuses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006407:Hematoma, Epidural, Cranial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006408:Hematoma, Subdural / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008576:Meningeal Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000293:injuries; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000293:injuries; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures