[Late exophthalmos revealing post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula: a case report]

Carotid-cavernous fistula is an abnormal communication between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. It is most commonly due to congenital arteriovenous malformations but it can also be caused by a trauma. It is a rare disease which can give rise to visual and life-threatening consequences. We here report the case of a young female patient aged 34 years who had been victim of road accident with craniofacial and lower limb trauma two years before her admission. Left exophthalmos with slowly progressive evolution occurred one year after road accident without other associated signs, revealing left carotid-cavernous fistula. What is peculiar about this case is the relatively long delay between the trauma, the onset of exophthalmos and the diagnosis of post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula.