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Access to the cavernous sinus through the vertebral artery: technical case report
G M Debrun1, J I Ausman, F T Charbel
1Department of Radiology and Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.
Neurosurgery
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Vertebral artery access is an effective treatment for direct carotid-cavernous fistulae. This approach achieved anatomical cure without complications in three patients.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Neuroradiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Direct carotid-cavernous fistulae (CCF) are abnormal connections between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus.
- Treatment options for CCF include surgical and endovascular approaches.
- Transarterial embolization is a common endovascular technique.
Observation:
- A series of 147 patients with fast-flow direct CCF were treated.
- In three specific cases, the cavernous sinus was best accessed via the vertebral artery.
- This vertebral artery approach was utilized when other routes were less feasible.
Findings:
- The vertebral artery approach successfully treated three patients with direct CCF.
- Anatomical cure was achieved in all three patients treated via the vertebral artery.
- No morbidity or complications were reported in these three cases.
Implications:
- The vertebral artery serves as a viable alternative access route for treating complex CCF.
- This technique expands endovascular treatment options for challenging carotid-cavernous fistulae.
- Further research may explore the indications and outcomes of vertebral artery access in CCF treatment.