Balloon occlusion of carotid-cavernous fistula via subtemporal transdural approach.

This is a report on a patient with traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF). She gradually noticed noise in her head and suffered from partial ophthalmoplegia. Angiography demonstrated a left high flow CCF. She underwent a direct surgical treatment with a detachable balloon because an endovascular balloon embolisation for the CCF had been unsuccessful. Immediate disappearance of the bruits after surgery was noted and the patient recovered progressively her ophthalmoplegia. Follow angiograms 3 months after surgery revealed the disappearance of the fistula and an appearance of a false aneurysm. She is asymptomatic and periodically monitored in the outpatient clinic.