Traumatic carotid-cavernous sinus fistula accompanying abducens nerve (VI) palsy in blowout fractures: missed diagnosis of 'white-eyed shunt'

Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2013 Apr;42(4):470-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2013.01.007. Epub 2013 Feb 14.

Abstract

We report the case of a 32-year-old woman with bilateral blowout fractures. She presented with diplopia showing impaired abduction of the left eye soon after trauma. No other orbito-ocular signs, such as exophthalmos, ptosis, or chemosis, were found. Orbital reconstruction was performed, but no improvement in her ophthalmoplegia was observed after surgery. A carotid angiography showed that she was suffering from a posteriorly draining carotid-cavernous sinus fistula with isolated abducens nerve palsy. Coil embolization was conducted under the consultation of a neurosurgeon, after which her ophthalmoplegia resolved fully. This is a rare case of posteriorly draining carotid-cavernous sinus fistula without classic orbito-ocular signs, the absence of which may cause diagnostic confusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abducens Nerve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Abducens Nerve Diseases / etiology*
  • Adult
  • Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula / diagnosis
  • Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula / etiology*
  • Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula / therapy
  • Cavernous Sinus / diagnostic imaging
  • Embolization, Therapeutic / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Ophthalmoplegia / etiology
  • Orbit / diagnostic imaging
  • Orbital Fractures / complications*
  • Orbital Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography