Internal carotid cavernous sinus fistula is a rare condition caused by a rupture of the artery wall or its branches in the cavernous sinus segment of the internal carotid artery, resulting in abnormal arteriovenous communication with the cavernous sinus. This abnormal communication causes increased pressure within the cavernous sinus, leading to a range of clinical symptoms.
Common symptoms include pulsatile exophthalmos, intracranial vascular bruits, conjunctival hyperemia and edema, ocular motility disorders, and headache. The appearance of these symptoms is associated with increased pressure in the cavernous sinus and impaired venous return.
Internal carotid cavernous sinus fistula can be divided into two types: traumatic and spontaneous, of which traumatic accounts for the vast majority, usually caused by basilar skull fractures caused by external forces such as traffic accidents. According to the amount of blood stolen, internal carotid cavernous sinus fistula can be divided into high-flow fistula and low-flow fistula.
* The principle of internal carotid cavernous sinus fistula is to close the fistula, preserve vision, and improve cerebral circulation and blood supply. For low-flow cavernous sinus fistulas, sometimes they can heal naturally or go through normal life, but for most cavernous sinus fistulas that do not grow in and around the orbit, they can cause increased intraocular pressure and increased orbital pressure, resulting in serious complications.