Clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas: a cohort study of 141 patients

Purpose: The cavernous sinus (CS) region is a common region of dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). Over time, treatment strategies are gradually changing. In this study, we present our center's experience in managing CS-DAVF over the past 20 years.

Methods: Medical records of patients diagnosed with CS-DAVF between 2002 and 2021 were collected for analysis. Patients meeting the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. This study summarized and analyzed their clinical characteristics, CS-DAVF angioarchitecture, treatment strategies, and outcomes.

Results: A total of 141 patients (mean age 55 years, 46 males) were included in this study. Ocular/orbital symptoms were the most frequently reported initial symptoms, with 84 (59.6%) patients experiencing these symptoms first. Presentation with ocular/orbital symptoms as the first symptom was associated with thrombosis of the inferior petrosal sinus (p = 0.032). Presentation with headache/dizziness and tinnitus/intracranial murmur as the first symptom was associated with sphenoparietal sinus/superficial middle cerebral vein drainage (p = 0.011). Among the patients, 131 (92.9%) patients received endovascular treatment, with 114 (87.0%) undergoing transvenous embolization. Onyx (92.4%) and coil (74.8%) were the most used embolic materials. 17 (13.0%) of the patients who received endovascular treatment suffered intraoperative or postoperative complications, and 11 (64.7%) patients fully recovered within 6 months after discharge.

Conclusion: Ocular/orbital symptoms were the most common first symptom of CS-DAVF. The mode of venous drainage played a significant role in determining the first symptoms. Transvenous embolization using Onyx or a combination of Onyx and coils was the primary treatment modality.