TRANSARTERIAL EMBOLIZATION OF A DIRECT CAROTID-CAVERNOUS FISTULA WITHGUGLIELMI DETACHABLE COILS

Four patients underwent transarterial embolization of a carotid-cavern ous fistula with Guglielmi detachable coils; in three cases as the ini tial form of treatment and in one case after treatment via transarteri al balloon embolization failed. The fistulas were 2 to 3 mm in diamete r on pretreatment angiograms. Complete obliteration was achieved in tw o patients; in the other two, minimal residual flow remained immediate ly after embolization but disappeared by follow-up angiography, One to four coils were used to occlude the fistulas, The internal carotid ar tery remained patent in all patients, and there were no complications.