Vasospasm in the setting of traumatic bilateral carotid-cavernous fistulas and its effect on treatment

Direct, Type A, cavernous-carotid fistulas (CCFs) are predominantly caused by head trauma, especially when basilar skull fractures are present. Transarterial endovascular treatment of direct CCFs is the preferred method of treatment. Bilateral CCFs are estimated to be present in 1-2% of the cases. The treatment of bilateral CCFs is difficult often requiring a combination of endovascular and open surgical approaches.

We present a case of traumatic bilateral CCFs presenting with vasospasm of the anterior circulation seen on the initial angiogram on day 1 and our treatment paradigm.

This case illustrates the challenges in managing bilateral CCFs as well as the changes in collateral circulation because of cerebral vasospasm which affected our treatment paradigm.