Concomitant occurrence of clinoid and cavernous segment aneurysms complicated with carotid cavernous fistula: A case report

RATIONALE: Dual aneurysms arising from the internal cerotic artery (ICA) is a very rare occurrence. Clinoid segment aneurysms (CSAs) are often seen at the carotid dural rings while cavernous carotid aneurysms (CCAs) are often a direct communication between the ICA and the cavernous sinus (CS). We present a case of complex concomitant occurrence of a CSA and a CCA complicated with delay aneurysmal rupture (DAR) resulting in carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) after our initial treatment of the patient with pipeline embolization devices (PLEDs) PATIENT CONCERNS: We present a 64-year old female who we admitted at our institution due to one-year history of double vision. Neurological examinations were unremarkable. DIAGNOSIS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT)-scan revealed dual aneurysms on the ICA. Digital subtracting angiogram (DSA) confirmed a small CSA and a large CCA on the right ICA. INTERVENTIONS: We treated both aneurysms with PLED and subsequently observed DAR of CCA as a complication. OUTCOMES: We successfully occluded the fistula with ONYX (ev3, Irvine, CA) via the trans-venous approach. LESIONS: PLED was the best endovascular treatment option though DAR was inevitable. Although the trans-arterial approach may be the gold standard for the managing of CCF, the complex nature of our case made us opt for trans-venous approach. The trans-venous route is very appropriate for fistulas with complex parent arteries.