Electrothrombosis of spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula by copper needle insertion

Electrothrombosis by copper needle insertion was used to treat three cases of spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula. These patients had been treated conservatively for 6 months or more, but their symptoms had not improved. Angiography showed that the feeding arteries were branches of both the ipsilateral internal and the ipsilateral external carotid artery. Frontotemporal craniotomy was performed, and copper needles were inserted transdurally into the cavernous sinus. Closure of the fistula was verified by intraoperative angiography in all cases, and the symptoms improved after the operation. However, one patient had postoperative transient 3rd nerve palsy. Another had Gerstmann's syndrome due to narrowing of the internal carotid artery by a needle and worsening of the preoperative 6th nerve palsy. In one case, the operation was uneventful. Based on our experience, we discuss several problems with this technique.