Mohammad Ghorbani1, Christoph J Griessenauer2, Christoph Wipplinger3, Hesam Abdolhoseinpour4, Reza Bahrami1, Sina Asaadi1, Abolghasem Mortazavi5. 1. Divisions of Vascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. 4. Department of Neurosurgery, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran. 5. Divisions of Vascular and Endovascular Neurosurgery, Firoozgar Hospital, Iran, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: sgmortazavi@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Direct carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) and sphenoid sinus traumatic aneurysms are well-known pathologies that can present concomitantly in rare cases. Patients with both lesions are usually symptomatic from both the CCF and the traumatic aneurysm. Symptoms include proptosis, chemosis, bruit, epistaxis, visual field defects, and loss of vision. Surgical treatment can be challenging, and for most cases an endovascular approach is the treatment of choice. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present an unusual case of a direct CCF with an associated large traumatic aneurysm in the sphenoid sinus due to a history of trauma presenting with unusual symptoms that was treated by a combined endoscopic and endovascular approach. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent occurrence of a traumatic CCF and traumatic aneurysm of the cavernous segment is extremely rare. Early diagnosis and treatment of these lesions are important considering their high mortality rate. Complete occlusion of the fistula and aneurysm while preserving the patency of the carotid artery via an endovascular approach is the treatment of choice for these lesions.
BACKGROUND: Direct carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) and sphenoid sinus traumatic aneurysms are well-known pathologies that can present concomitantly in rare cases. Patients with both lesions are usually symptomatic from both the CCF and the traumatic aneurysm. Symptoms include proptosis, chemosis, bruit, epistaxis, visual field defects, and loss of vision. Surgical treatment can be challenging, and for most cases an endovascular approach is the treatment of choice. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present an unusual case of a direct CCF with an associated large traumatic aneurysm in the sphenoid sinus due to a history of trauma presenting with unusual symptoms that was treated by a combined endoscopic and endovascular approach. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent occurrence of a traumatic CCF and traumatic aneurysm of the cavernous segment is extremely rare. Early diagnosis and treatment of these lesions are important considering their high mortality rate. Complete occlusion of the fistula and aneurysm while preserving the patency of the carotid artery via an endovascular approach is the treatment of choice for these lesions.