The authors report three cases of carotid-cavernous fistula occurring after
severe cranio facial trauma. The diagnosis has been suspected on the assoc
iation of a pulsatil exophtalmia and systolo-diastolic murmur, and confirme
d by arteriography. Embolization was succesful in two patients, the third o
ne died from neurologic complication before embolization. The carotid caver
nous fistula is a rare but severe complication of a craniofacial trauma. Th
e functional (blindness) and vital prognosis (subarachnoid and intracerebra
l haemorrage). Treatment by interventional neuroadiology has considerably i
mproved the outcome. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier
SAS.