DURAL CAROTID-CAVERNOUS FISTULAS - CLINIC AL PICTURE, DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES, AND THERAPY

Background Carotid cavernous fistulas are cerebral arteriovenous shunt s which may present with ocular or orbital signs. Direct fistulas are distinguished from dural shunts with respect to the anatomical situati on. Patients We report on two patients with spontaneous dural carotid cavernous fistulas with multiple feeding vessels. Both patients requir ed endovascular embolization. Results Therapy was successful in both p atients. We present an overview of the clinical picture, the diagnosti c procedure, the differential diagnosis and the therapeutic possibilit ies in this clinical entity. Conclusion Both patients prove the import ance of an immediate differential diagnostical classification so that a specific neuroradiological diagnostic can be ensured. Todays advance d endovascular technology offers therapeutic options with less risk fo r the patient than in recent years.