Endovascular treatment of sinus dural fistulas using vein catheterism

Purpose: We report two techniques for treatment of dural arteriovenous fistulas using femoral vein catheterism and direct surgery via the superior ophthalmic vein. We will attempt to show the advantages of these new techniques instead of using the arterial pathway, which is currently the reference procedure. Subjects and method: Mrs G, 75 years old was sent by her ophthalmologist because of a suspected orbital tumor. Visual acuity: right eye: 3/10, exophthalmia, chemosis, with no thrill or murmur. The fundus examination was normal. The ultrasound exam with color Doppler imaging showed an arterialization of the superior ophthalmic vein compatible with an arteriovenous sinus dural fistula. Angio-MRI revealed a large left cavernous sinus, confirming the diagnosis. Considering the type of the fistula and the weak physical condition of the patient, we decided to attempt an endovascular embolization with coil placement, using femoral vein catheterism. Exophthalmia regressed within days. The fistula remains sealed 1 year after the procedure. Mr D, 40 years old, showed a similar clinical aspect of sinus dural fistula. We attempted an embolization with the femoral vein, which failed. We decided to embolize the cavernous sinus via the direct surgical pathway of the superior ophthalmic vein. Coils were placed and the fistula was sealed. Conclusion: These clinical cases show two less invasive alternatives giving better results than arterial embolization, the reference method (Brooks 1930; Spearmann 1964; Parkinson 1965), endovascular trapping, or surgery.