Endovascular treatment of high-flow carotid-cavernous fistula secondary to rupture of a carotid-cavernous aneurysm post-flow diverter stent placement

Abstract

Carotid-cavernous aneurysms (CCAs) have the potential for growth, and their risk of rupture can lead to severe complications. Treatment is typically recommended to prevent these complications, with endovascular therapy being the preferred approach due to the challenging surgical access. This case presents a rare instance of rupture of a CCA that had been previously treated with a flow-diverting stent, which resulted in the development of a carotid-cavernous fistula, requiring venous access endovascular treatment. Our patient experienced persistent neurological deficits following treatment, specifically paralysis of the IV cranial nerve and palpebral ptosis, underscoring the complex nature of such cases and the potential for lasting complications despite intervention.

Keywords: Neuroimaging; Neurological injury; Neurosurgery; Stroke.