title: The myth of the Brooks method of embolization: a brief history of the endovascular treatment of carotid-cavernous sinus fistula.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To correct the historical notion that permeates throughout the neurointerventional surgical literature that Dr Barney Brooks was the founder of the specialty.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both articles written by Dr B Brooks and all pertinent literature dealing with neurointerventional treatment of the carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCSF) were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The notion that Dr B Brooks was the first to use the embolization method to treat the CCSF was based on misinterpretation of his papers published in 1930 and on 'second generation' references used by subsequent authors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dr B Brooks never described embolization of the CCSF by a 'free' piece of muscle introduced into the internal carotid artery (ICA).
authors: Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute of New York, New York, USA. jjvitek@aol.com
authors: J J
authors: JJ
authors: Vitek
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D020216:Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000266:history*; D011643:Publishing / Q000266:history*