Endovascular treatment of post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulae using latex detachable balloons

Objective. To determine the efficiency of latex detachable balloons in the treatment of post-traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulae (CCF). Methods. Management and outcome were reviewed for 34 consecutive patients with post-traumatic CCF personally treated by one of the authors (PS) using latex detachable balloons during the 4-year period 1996 - 2000. Results. Endovascular embolisation of 34 CCFs was attempted in 33 patients. In 1 patient where the fistula was a result of rupture of an intracavernous aneurysm, the fistula thrombosed spontaneously before embolisation was attempted. In the 33 treated patients, the fistula was occluded in 30 cases (91%). Patency of the internal carotid artery was preserved in 16 cases (53%). Conclusion. A high percentage (91%) of direct CCFs were successfully occluded with latex detachable balloons. There were no permanent neurological complications in any of the patients treated