The benign course of carotid-cavernous fistula in a child

Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) are reported very rarely in childhood and their clinical course and prognosis are uncertain. We report a 9-year-old b oy presented with left eye swelling, neck pain and headache. The MRI findin gs suggested a CCF with enlarged left superior ophthalmic vein. Ocular Dopp ler ultrasonography revealed enlarged left superior ophthalmic vein, and ar terialization of Doppler wave form. The cerebral angiogram showed normal an atomy. Control Doppler examination findings supported the diagnosis of clos ure of fistula. The clinical and radiological findings of this unusual pres entation are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights r eserved.