Direct approach to a traumatic giant internal carotid artery aneurysm associated with a carotid-cavernous fistula. Case report.

The case is reported of a giant intracranial internal carotid artery aneurysm associated with a carotid-cavernous fistula following a closed head injury. The aneurysm and the fistula disappeared after only the neck of the aneurysm was clipped. This is the first case in which a direct surgical approach was successful in sparing the internal carotid flow. Reports of similar cases are reviewed.