• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.116-119
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• 2010

Purpose: Arteriovenous fistulas that involve the cavernous sinus often produce ophthalmologic symptoms and signs. Transvenous endovascular access is the method of choice for a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. The superior ophthalmic vein is a safe and reasonable alternative route for the transvenous embolization of carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. We report a case of the embolization of a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula using the superior ophthalmic vein approach. Methods: A 58 year old female had conjunctival congestion, periocular pain and diplopia with a 2 month duration. Diagnostic orbital CT, brain MRI and cerebral angiography revealed a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula. The fistula occlusion was treated by coil embolization using the superior ophthalmic vein approach. Results: The initial presenting symptoms, conjunctival congestion, periocular pain and diplopia, decreased after surgery. Coil embolization via the superior ophthalmic vein approach was difficult because of the venous tortuosity and friability. During the follow up period, the patient was in a good condition without complications. Conclusion: Surgical exposure of the superior ophthalmic vein provides direct venous access to the cavernous sinus as well as an effective and safe treatment approach. The cooperation of the plastic surgeon and interventionist is a factor in successful treatment.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 2019

A carotid-cavernous sinus fistula is a rare condition in which an abnormal communication exists between the internal or external carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. It typically occurs within a few weeks after craniomaxillofacial trauma. In most cases, the carotid-cavernous sinus fistula occurs on the same side as the craniomaxillofacial fracture. We report a case of delayed carotid-cavernous sinus fistula that developed symptoms 7 months after the craniomaxillofacial fracture. The fistula developed on the side opposite to that of the craniomaxillofacial fracture. Based on our experience with this case, we recommend a long follow-up period of 7-8 months after the occurrence of a craniomaxillofacial fracture. We also recommend that the follow-up should include consideration of the side contralateral to the injury.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.243-248
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• 2000

Carotid cavernous sinus fistula(CCSF) is an abnormal communication at the base of the skull between the internal carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. Fistula is almost associated with extensive facial trauma as a result of direct or indirect forces. Most fistulas of traumatic origin develop as a result of fractures through the base of the skull, which cause the laceration of the internal carotid artery near the cavernous sinus. The signs and symptoms of CCSF are pulsating exophthalmosis, orbital headache, pain, orbital or frontal bruit, loss of visual acuity, diplopia and ophthalmoplegia. Angiography reveals a definite CCSF and a detachable balloon embolization is known to be the treatment of choice. Even though carotid cavernous sinus fistula is an uncommon complication after orthognathic surgery, several cases of CCSF due to congenital anomalies, pre-existing aneurysms and abnormally thickened maxillary posterior wall have been reported in the literature. We have experienced a case of CCSF after Le Fort I osteotomy for maxillary advancement in skeletal class III patient and the cause, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this case.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 1993

Carotid-cavernous sinus fistula(CCSF) is an abnormal arterio-venous communication between the cavernous sinus and the internal carotid artery. It is usually caused by craniofacial trauma and a very rarely encountered complication, but it may also occur spontaneously. The most common cause of traumatic CCSF is blunt trauma, which usually associated with a skull base, frontal or midfacial fracture. The common clinical feature of CCSF are orbital bruit, headache, exophthalmos, chemosis, diplopia, visual disturbance and others. This dramatic ocular-orbital symptoms are principally due to orbital venous hypertension. The symptoms occured within a few hours to a maximum of a year after injury, usually within several weeks. The patient, 33-year-old female, developed a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula after only minimal closed trauma We present a rare case of CCSF associated facial bone fracture that was successfully treated by detachable balloon embolization with a review of the literature.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.226-230
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• 1989

As carotid-cavernous fistula is the major complication that can be occurred uncommonly after maxillofacial injuries, it is abnormal arteriovenous communication between cavernous sinus and internal carotid artery. Such an arteriovenous communication is most often the result of injuries, but need not be associated with bony fracture. It usually begins soon after an injury, but it may be delayed for as long as several months. It begins undramatically with eye pain, headache and slow protrusion of eye ball. A bruit may be heard above the eye with stethoscope. Close examination will reveal dilatation of superficial veins of the eyelid and forehead and periorbital edema. There will be complete or partial ophthalmoplesia of the affected eye. Compression of the common carotid artery on the ipsilateral side will reduce or obliterate the bruit. The lesion in the cavernous sinus is them demonstrable by angiography.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.89-93
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• 2017

Infratentorial cerebral hemorrhage due to a direct carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is very rare. To our knowledge, only four such cases have been reported. Cerebellar hemorrhage due to a direct CCF has not been reported. We describe a 63-year-old female who presented with reduced consciousness 3 days after undergoing a maxillectomy for maxillary cancer. Computed tomography showed a cerebellar hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance angiography showed a left-sided direct CCF draining into the left petrosal and cerebellar veins through the left superior petrosal sinus (SPS). Her previous surgery had sacrificed the pterygoid plexus and facial vein. Increased blood flow and reduced drainage could have led to increased venous pressure in infratentorial veins, including the petrosal and cerebellar veins. The cavernous sinus has several drainage routes, but the SPS is one of the most important routes for infratentorial venous drainage. Stenosis or absence of the posterior segment of the SPS can also result in increased pressure in the cerebellar and pontine veins. We emphasize that a direct CCF with cortical venous reflux should be precisely evaluated to determine the hemodynamic status and venous drainage from the cavernous sinus.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.818-826
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• 2021

Objective : The widely accepted treatment option of a traumatic carotid cavernous fistula (TCCF) has been detachable balloon or coils based fistula occlusion. Recently, covered stent implantation has been proving an excellent results. The purpose of this study is to investigate our experiences with first line choice of covered stent implantation for TCCF at level 1 regional trauma center. Methods : From November 2004 to February 2020, 19 covered stents were used for treatment of 19 TCCF patients. Among them, 15 cases were first line treatment using covered stents. Clinical and angiographic data were retrospectively reviewed. Results : Procedures were technically successful in all 15 cases (100%). Immediate angiographic results after procedure were total occlusion in 12 patients (80%). All patients except two expired patients had image follow-up (mean 15 months). Recurred symptomatic three patients underwent additional treatments and achieved complete occlusion. Mean clinical follow-up duration was 32 months and results were modified Rankin Scale 1-2 in five, 3-4 in five, and 5 in three patients. Conclusion : The covered stent could be considered as fist line treatment option for treating TCCF patients especially in unstable vital sign. Larger samples and expanded follow-up are required to further develop their specifications and indications.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.791-793
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• 2015

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.1
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• pp.226-239
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• 2023

Purpose To compare the sensitivities of T2-weighted image (T2WI) and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in detecting cerebral arteriovenous fistula (AVF), cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF), and to qualitatively evaluate single-echo SWI (s-SWI) and multi-echo SWI (m-SWI) in characterizing vascular lesions. Materials and Methods From January 2016 to December 2021, cerebral angiography-proven lesions were recruited. The sensitivities of T2WI and SWI in detecting vascular lesions were compared using McNemar's test. Qualitative evaluations of s-SWI and m-SWI were categorized to be of poor, average, or good quality and compared using Fisher's exact test. Results A total of 24 patients (mean age: 61 years, 12 female, and 12 male) were enrolled. Twenty patients underwent s-SWI or m-SWI, and four patients underwent both. AVF, AVM, and CCF were diagnosed in 10, 11, and 3 patients, respectively. SWI demonstrated higher sensitivity compared to that of T2WI (82.1% vs. 53.6%, p = 0.013). m-SWI showed better image quality compared to that of s-SWI (good quality, 83.3% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.009). Conclusion SWI demonstrated a higher sensitivity for detecting cerebral arteriovenous shunts compared to that of T2WI. m-SWI exhibited better image quality compared to that of s-SWI in characterizing vascular lesions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.532-538
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• 2020

Traumatic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) involving the external carotid artery are exceedingly rare in young adults. Since an AVF is the most common life-threatening cause for pulsatile tinnitus (PT), meticulous evaluation and treatment of patients with PT is crucial. Here, we present two traumatic AVF cases treated with coil embolization leading to no residual fistulous connections followed by an immediate and complete resolution of PT. A 20-year-old man developed left ear tinnitus three months after a traumatic brain injury involving the right temporal bone fracture. Cerebral angiography demonstrated an enlarged left middle meningeal artery (MMA) and a fistular point at the posterior branch of the MMA draining to the middle meningeal vein (MMV) and the left pterygoid plexus, suggesting an AVF. Another 18-year-old girl developed left tinnitus, left exophthalmos, and conjunctival injection 6 months after a traffic accident involving no demonstrable abnormal findings in the radiologic exam. Magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated a markedly dilated left MMA draining to the MMV, left cavernous sinus, and left superior ophthalmic vein. In both cases, coil embolization was performed with total obliteration of the fistular point.