https://doi.org/10.46889/JNOR.2023. https://athenaeumpub.com/journal-of-neuro-and-oncology-research/
Case Report
Diagnosis and Minimally-Invasive Treatment of Posterior Fossa
Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Presenting Clinically as A Carotid-
Cavernous Fistula
Oktay Algin
1*
1
Ankara University, Medical Faculty, Department of Radiology, Ankara, Türkiye
2
National MR Research Center (UMRAM), Bilkent University, Ankara, Türkiye
3
Interventional MR Clinical R&D Center, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye
*Correspondence author: Prof. Oktay Algin, MD, Interventional MR Clinical R and D Center, Ankara University, Ankara, Türkiye;
Email: oktay.algin@umram.bilkent.edu.tr
Abstract
A posterior fossa dural arteriovenous fistula presenting clinically as a carotid-cavernous fistula
is a very rare and relatively unknown situation. They present with several clinical symptoms
due to abnormal or excessive blood flowing into the cavernous sinuses. Although abnormal
shunts between two vascular domains near each other may be expected (as in carotid-cavernous
fistulas), an abnormal shunt from a distant artery to a cavernous venous sinus would be
something unusual. Endovascular treatment is now the first-line, safest and cost-effective
treatment for this type of fistula. In this paper, we report a very rare situation (a spontaneous
posterior fossa dural arteriovenous fistula presenting clinically as a carotid-cavernous fistula)
that is treated with endovenous intervention and coil embolization. The importance of other
cavernous sinus-related fistulas, their diagnostic features and therapeutic options will also be
discussed in this paper.
Keywords: Carotid Cavernous Fistula; Embolization; Imaging; Endovascular Treatment; Dural
Arteriovenous Fistula; Inferior Petrosal Sinus
Introduction
Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas (CCFs) are well-known abnormal vascular shunts with direct or
indirect abnormal blood flow from the cavernous carotid artery to venous sinuses [1]. It usually
presents with ophthalmic symptoms. Anterior venous drainage in a dural Arteriovenous Fistula
(dAVF) causes ocular symptoms, tinnitus, and/or pain similar to CCF. Endovascular treatment
is the best treatment modality of choice in these cases [1]. In this paper, we report a case with a
non-traumatic dAVF which was treated by an endovenous intervention. The importance of cavernous sinus-related fistulas, as
well as their imaging features and therapeutic options, are also discussed in this manuscript.
Case Report
Fifty-seven-year-old female complaining of progressive chemosis, retro-orbital headache, proptosis and blurred vision over the
last 3 weeks was referred to our ophthalmology department. Physical examination revealed limited eye movements, scleral
congestion, secondary glaucoma and a dilated pupil with optic disc swelling on the left side. A bruit over the left superior orbital
rim was also noted. There was no history of trauma, medication or familial/concomitant disease. She was then referred to our
radiology department for head CT Angiography (CTA), with suspicion of spontaneous CCF.
Citation: Algin O. Diagnosis and
Minimally-Invasive Treatment of
Posterior Fossa Dural Arteriovenous
Fistula Presenting Clinically as A
Carotid-Cavernous Fistula. J Neuro
Onco Res. 2023;3(3):1-5.
https://doi.org/10.46889/JNOR.2023.
Received Date: 11-12-2023
Accepted Date: 25-12-2023
Published Date: 31-12-2023
Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.
Submitted for possible open access
publication under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CCBY) license
(https://creativecommons.org/li
censes/by/4.0/).