Transvenous Coil Embolization of Traumatic Carotid-Cavernous Fistula Associated with a Persistent Primitive Trigeminal Artery

Abstract

A 45-year-old male presented with left pulsatile tinnitus and left conjunctival chemosis after blunt head trauma. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a left carotid-cavernous sinus fistula associated with a persistent primitive trigeminal artery. The fistula was packed with detachable coils through the transvenous approach and was successfully occluded without complication, while preserving the patency of the persistent primitive trigeminal artery. The patient's symptoms resolved soon after treatment. Persistent primitive trigeminal artery can be associated with a traumatic cavernous sinus fistula and transvenous coil embolization can be a safe and effective method to immediately occlude the fistula.