Post-traumatic right carotid-cavernous fistula resulting in symptoms in the contralateral eye: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: To report a case of a carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) that occurred after a motor vehicle accident and review the uniqueness of this case and the main confusing points for the diagnosis of such cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 22-year-old man complained of left eyelid swelling, eye redness, visual decrease and occasional headache after motor vehicle accident 4 months prior during which he experienced a head injury. He was initially thought to have glaucoma, but he was finally diagnosed with a right CCF based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Timely embolization surgery resulted in obvious relief of the ocular symptoms and an improved prognosis. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of a post-traumatic unilateral CCF with contralateral symptoms in direct CCF, it is very infrequent and deserves our attention. We should maintain high suspicion of CCF and confirm the diagnosis by DSA when managing such patients to prevent serious consequences. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis of patients.