Carotid cavernous fistula and false aneurysm of the cavernous carotid artery: complications of transsphenoidal surgery.

Injury to the cavernous internal carotid artery is an unusual and serious complication of transsphenoidal surgery. Two such patients with injury to the carotid artery, referred for endovascular treatment, are reported. The clinical course and successful treatment of these patients, one with an intracavernous false aneurysm and one with a carotid cavernous fistula, are described. A review of these vascular complications of transsphenoidal surgery is presented.