[Bilateral exophthalmos secondary to right carotid-cavernous sinus fistula]

Male with cranioencephalic trauma who rapidly developed a marked bilateral exophthalmos. A CT was requested, the CT findings suggest a right-side carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCSF), which was confirmed by means of a cerebral arteriography. Following treatment with intravascular balloon pump the patient's condition improved quite spectacularly.

CCSFs are anomalous communications between the cavernous sinus and the carotid artery which may be of a spontaneous nature, a result of trauma or iatrogenia and which have hemodynamic repercussions throughout the drainage area of the cavernous sinus. Sonography, CT or MR are useful whilst a cerebral angiography is required for diagnosis. CCSFs resulting from trauma normally require endovascular therapy with selective embolization techniques.