Mohammad Ghorbani1, Seyed Ebrahim Hejazian1, Alireza Dastmalchi1, Mehdi Chavoshinejad1, Sina Asaadi2. 1. Division of Vascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery, Firoozgar Hospital, Tehran, Iran. 2. Division of Vascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery, Firoozgar Hospital, Tehran, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: s.asaadi90@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Carotid cavernous aneurysm (CCA) rupture is rare. However, it can result in various complications such as carotid cavernous fistula (CCF), epistaxis, spontaneous thrombosis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a 65-year-old woman with a history of uncontrolled diabetes who was referred with complaints of acute headache, diplopia, proptosis, and chemosis. Ophthalmic examination revealed elevated intraocular pressure in the right eye, optic disk edema, and retinal venous congestion. Canthotomy was performed based on a diagnosis of orbital compartment syndrome (OCS). Further imaging revealed a dilated superior ophthalmic vein and cavernous sinus, as well as swelling of the extraocular muscles in the right eye. Digital subtraction angiography revealed the fistulous connection between the cavernous part of the internal carotid and cavernous sinus (direct CCF) due to the large ruptured CCA, resulting in retrograde flow through the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins. Successful endovascular coiling of the aneurysm resulted in complete occlusion of the fistula. Postintervention ophthalmic examination demonstrated progressive improvement of ophthalmic signs and symptoms; however, the patient's right eye remained sightless. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with clinical manifestation of OCS with no history of any predisposing risk factors, diagnosis of ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysm and resulting direct CCF should be considered. In such cases, emergent imaging along with early endovascular intervention can resolve OCS and prevent permanent ocular injury and vision loss.
BACKGROUND: Carotid cavernous aneurysm (CCA) rupture is rare. However, it can result in various complications such as carotid cavernous fistula (CCF), epistaxis, spontaneous thrombosis, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report a 65-year-old woman with a history of uncontrolled diabetes who was referred with complaints of acute headache, diplopia, proptosis, and chemosis. Ophthalmic examination revealed elevated intraocular pressure in the right eye, optic disk edema, and retinal venous congestion. Canthotomy was performed based on a diagnosis of orbital compartment syndrome (OCS). Further imaging revealed a dilated superior ophthalmic vein and cavernous sinus, as well as swelling of the extraocular muscles in the right eye. Digital subtraction angiography revealed the fistulous connection between the cavernous part of the internal carotid and cavernous sinus (direct CCF) due to the large ruptured CCA, resulting in retrograde flow through the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins. Successful endovascular coiling of the aneurysm resulted in complete occlusion of the fistula. Postintervention ophthalmic examination demonstrated progressive improvement of ophthalmic signs and symptoms; however, the patient's right eye remained sightless. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with clinical manifestation of OCS with no history of any predisposing risk factors, diagnosis of ruptured cavernous sinus aneurysm and resulting direct CCF should be considered. In such cases, emergent imaging along with early endovascular intervention can resolve OCS and prevent permanent ocular injury and vision loss.
Authors: Michael Karl Fehrenbach; Eric Dietel; Tim Wende; Johannes Kasper; Caroline Sander; Florian Wilhelmy; Ulf Quaeschling; Juergen Meixensberger; Ulf Nestler Journal: Brain Sci Date: 2022-02-28