A fistula may develop between the carotid artery and adjacent cavernous sinus.
The fistula may arise following head trauma or occur spontaneously.
Clinical findings:
(1) chemosis
(2) intracranial bruit
(3) oculomotor palsy
(4) exophthalmos
Usually the fistula is unilateral but occasionally it can be bilateral.
The presence of a fistula can be demonstrated by angiography.
The fistula can often be closed by embolization of the cavernous sinus (by direct puncture, via the superior ophthalmic vein,e tc).
