Treatment of caroticocavernous fistulae with detachable balloons introduced by percutaneous catheterization

Five patients with caroticocavernous fistula were treated by new, interventional angiographic techniques. In four patients, latex balloons filled with a silicone polymer were introduced into the cavernous sinus via the transfemoral route and detached; this resulted in complete obliteration of the caroticocavernous fistula and preservation of the internal carotid artery flow in two of the four patients. In the fifth patient, stainless steel coils were introduced into the cavernous sinus via the superior ophthalmic vein which had previously been surgically exposed. These percutaneous, angiographic techniques of intervention should be considered the initial treatment of choice for caroticocavernous fistulae.