Lun-Xin Liu1, Jaims Lim2, Chang-Wei Zhang1, Sen Lin1, Cong Wu1, Ting Wang1, Xiao-Dong Xie1, Liang-Xue Zhou1, Chao-Hua Wang3. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, People's Republic of China. 2. Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: wangchaohuaHX@163.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to describe our single-institutional experience of treating direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (DCCFs) with Willis covered stents (WCSs). METHODS: Of a total of 31 DCCFs, 10 were treated with WCSs (Microport, Shanghai, China) at West China Hospital from January 2015 to December 2016. The indications for treatment, perioperative findings, and postoperative and follow-up results were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: All 10 patients had successful deployment of WCSs. Complete exclusion of the fistula was achieved in 6 patients immediately after deployment of 1 stent. Endoleak was observed in 4 patients (patients 2, 4, 5, and 9). Thus, repeat dilation of the stent with greater pressure was performed, which resolved the endoleak in 2 patients (patients 2 and 9). The endoleak of the other 2 patients persisted after repeat dilation of the balloon. Hence, a second stent was deployed in these 2 patients (patients 4 and 5), which eliminated the endoleak in patient 4. However, patient 5 continued to have a minimal endoleak. Nine patients had fistulas successfully occluded by WCSs during the follow-up period. One patient experienced recurrence of a DCCF at the 10-day follow-up point. We chose coil embolization to address this DCCF. No stenosis of the internal carotid artery or DCCF recurrence, except that in the abovementioned patient, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: WCS was proved to be an alternative treatment method for complex DCCFs through reconstruction and preservation of the internal carotid artery. Our study also confirmed the safety, efficacy, and midterm durability of WCSs for complex DCCFs without any serious delayed complications.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to describe our single-institutional experience of treating direct carotid-cavernous fistulas (DCCFs) with Willis covered stents (WCSs). METHODS: Of a total of 31 DCCFs, 10 were treated with WCSs (Microport, Shanghai, China) at West China Hospital from January 2015 to December 2016. The indications for treatment, perioperative findings, and postoperative and follow-up results were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: All 10 patients had successful deployment of WCSs. Complete exclusion of the fistula was achieved in 6 patients immediately after deployment of 1 stent. Endoleak was observed in 4 patients (patients 2, 4, 5, and 9). Thus, repeat dilation of the stent with greater pressure was performed, which resolved the endoleak in 2 patients (patients 2 and 9). The endoleak of the other 2 patients persisted after repeat dilation of the balloon. Hence, a second stent was deployed in these 2 patients (patients 4 and 5), which eliminated the endoleak in patient 4. However, patient 5 continued to have a minimal endoleak. Nine patients had fistulas successfully occluded by WCSs during the follow-up period. One patient experienced recurrence of a DCCF at the 10-day follow-up point. We chose coil embolization to address this DCCF. No stenosis of the internal carotid artery or DCCF recurrence, except that in the abovementioned patient, was observed. CONCLUSIONS: WCS was proved to be an alternative treatment method for complex DCCFs through reconstruction and preservation of the internal carotid artery. Our study also confirmed the safety, efficacy, and midterm durability of WCSs for complex DCCFs without any serious delayed complications.