Transarterial Embolization of Traumatic Carotid-Cavernous Fistulae by Gugliemi Detachable Coils: A Seven-Year Experience

We report our experience with transarterial embolization of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulae (TCCFs) by using Gugliemi detachable coil (GDC). From 2000 to 2007 at our institution, 11 patients with 12 TCCFs underwent transarterial GDC embolization because of failure to occlude fistulae by detachable balloon with preservation of the parent artery. The cause of the failure to occlude the fistula by detachable balloon was small fistula tract (n=9) and/or tortuous parent artery (n=3) or repeated balloon puncture by bony fragment (n=1). All TCCFs were successfully occluded by a single session transarterial GDC embolization. The average number of coils were eight (range, two-16) with an average length of 104 cm (range, 12–283 cm). No statistically significant procedure-related neurological complication or recurrent TCCF was observed in any of the patients. Transarterial GDC embolization is a useful method in the treatment of TCCFs, particularly in those TCCFs with small fistula tract or small CS.