Treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas

The diagnosis and treatment of carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF) is an interdisciplinary challenge for both ophthalmologists and interventional neuroradiologists. According to the clinical signs and symptoms the tentative diagnosis is made by the ophthalmologist. It is the task of the neuroradiologist to ascertain this diagnosis by intra-arterial angiography. if a fistula is suspected this invasive diagnostic procedure is indispensable, not only to establish the diagnosis but also to classify those types of fistula with an unfavourable spontaneous course possibly resulting in intracranial haemorrhage. The indication for therapy is based on the clinical symptoms and the angiographic findings. In a number of cases no therapy is required. Since a fistula may change over time, these patients have to be under close ophthalmological surveillance. In many patients a conservative therapeutic approach with manual compression of the carotid artery is sufficient as a first step. Invasive treatment is performed via the endovascular approach in almost all cases. Direct CCF are predominantly treated transarterially with detachable balloons and/or coils. Recently, intracranial stents have been used increasingly. The embolisation of indirect CCF is most effective using the transvenous access with coils. There are several approaches to the cavernous sinus. The interventional occlusion of CCF is nowadays a very effective treatment associated with a comparatively high cure rate and low incidence of complications. By close cooperation between ophthalmologists and neuroradiologists the patients can be protected against visual loss, the development of a secondary glaucoma, and, most importantly, against intracranial haemorrhage.