Monitoring the successful embolization of an arterio-venous fistula by a fibreoptic jugular vein catheter

The management of surgical embolization of a post-traumatic carotid-caverno us fistula is reported in this study. The procedure was successfully perfor med with the aid of a fibreoptic intravascular catheter, which was monitori ng continuously the changes of the jugular venous oxygen saturation. Jugula r venous oxygen saturation monitoring effectively confirmed the success of embolization without the need for intraoperative angiography, by manifestin g an abrupt return of oxygen saturation from arterial to normal venous valu es immediately after embolization.