BACKGROUND: Carotid cavernous fistulae are treatable by various means, one of which is embolization via the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV). The use of this technique over the past 12 years at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia, is reviewed. METHODS: Five patients with carotid cavernous fistulas were treated with embolization of the fistula via the surgically isolated SOV. RESULTS: Each patient had successful endovascular closure of the fistula using embolization via the SOV approach. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of certain types of carotid cavernous fistulas that cannot be closed by the conventional endovascular (arterial and venous) approaches can be successfully closed by using a transvenous approach through the SOV.
BACKGROUND: Carotid cavernous fistulae are treatable by various means, one of which is embolization via the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV). The use of this technique over the past 12 years at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia, is reviewed. METHODS: Five patients with carotid cavernous fistulas were treated with embolization of the fistula via the surgically isolated SOV. RESULTS: Each patient had successful endovascular closure of the fistula using embolization via the SOV approach. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of certain types of carotid cavernous fistulas that cannot be closed by the conventional endovascular (arterial and venous) approaches can be successfully closed by using a transvenous approach through the SOV.