Worsening angle closure glaucoma and choroidal detachments subsequent to closure of a carotid cavernous fistula
© Thinda et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012
Received: 25 October 2011
Accepted: 12 July 2012
Published: 28 July 2012
Carotid cavernous fistulas are abnormal communications between the cavernous sinus and the external or internal carotid arteries. Although rare, closure of carotid cavernous fistulas can lead to immediate ocular complications. To our knowledge, our case represents the first report of worsening angle closure glaucoma and choroidal detachments over an extended period of two months subsequent to closure of a carotid cavernous fistula.
A 70-year-old female with a history of primary angle closure glaucoma presented with 4 mm of proptosis, resistance to retropulsion, tortuous corkscrew blood vessels and an orbital bruit of the right eye. Diagnostic cerebral angiogram showed a small indirect Barrow type D right carotid cavernous fistula. Transarterial embolization was planned but repeat cerebral angiography prior to the procedure demonstrated spontaneous partial closure of the carotid cavernous fistula and the procedure was aborted. One month later, our patient was noted to have worsening vision and choroidal detachments of the right eye. She declined further testing and was thus started on self-administered manual carotid jugular compressions. One month later, she developed progressive worsening of her choroidal detachments and angle closure. She eventually opted for surgical intervention but repeat cerebral angiography showed significant thrombosis of the carotid cavernous fistula and no intervention was warranted. Examination two months later showed complete resolution of the choroidal detachments and open angles of both eyes.
Our patient demonstrated worsening angle closure glaucoma and choroidal detachments after spontaneous closure of her carotid cavernous fistula had been noted. Ocular complications, including acute angle closure, have been reported to occur immediately after closure of carotid cavernous fistulas, but not over months as in our patient. It is imperative that individuals who have undergone apparent closure of a carotid cavernous fistula be carefully monitored for worsening ocular complications.
Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF) are abnormal communications between the cavernous sinus and the external or internal carotid arteries . Although rare, cases of ocular complications, including choroidal detachments and angle closure glaucoma (ACG), have been reported to occur immediately after closure of CCFs [2–4]. To our knowledge, our case represents the first report of worsening ACG and choroidal detachments subsequent to CCF closure over an extended period of two months.
A 70-year-old female with a history of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) status post laser peripheral iridotomy (PI) of both eyes (OU) presented for further management. She complained of discomfort and redness of the right eye (OD). Past medical history was significant for hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease and a cerebrovascular accident 15 years prior. Medications included atenolol, alprazolam, omeprazole, aspirin and topical prednisolone four times a day OD. The duration of topical prednisolone treatment was approximately 1 week prior to her presentation to our institution. The treatment was deemed necessary by the referring physician for her complaint of discomfort and redness. No other topical medications were given. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 22 OD and 16 of the left eye (OS). Exam showed mild injection OD, shallow anterior chambers, patent PIs and cataracts OU. Gonioscopy demonstrated narrow angles with extensive peripheral anterior synechiae OU. Dilated fundus exam showed increased vessel tortuosity OU.
Given the significant narrow angles despite patent PIs OU, cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation OU was performed. She was treated postoperatively with topical moxifloxacin, nepafenac and prednisolone for a month. She did not receive dorzolamide or other sulfa derivatives. Postoperatively, the anterior chambers deepened and the angles opened significantly. IOP was noted to be 19 OD and 18 OS. No hypotony was detected throughout the entire course.
Two months after cataract surgery, she developed 4 mm of proptosis, resistance to retropulsion, tortuous corkscrew blood vessels and an orbital bruit OD. Gonioscopy revealed the recurrence of narrow angles OD.
She eventually opted for repeat surgical intervention but when diagnostic cerebral angiography was performed prior to the embolization procedure, significant thrombosis of the CCF was noted. There was virtually no filling of the SOV on angiography and no intervention was warranted. Examination two months later showed complete resolution of her choroidal detachments and open angles OU.
Our patient demonstrated worsening of her ACG and choroidal detachments after spontaneous closure of her CCF had been noted. Her signs and symptoms worsened over a two month period as her CCF first partially closed spontaneously and then completely closed with self-administered manual carotid jugular compressions.
Ocular complications, including acute angle closure, have been reported to occur immediately after closure of CCFs, but not over months as in our patient [2–4]. The involved mechanism is unclear but it has been postulated that perhaps thrombosis of the SOV in the absence of sufficient collateral drainage leads to worsening of signs and symptoms . Once collaterals develop or expand, the ocular manifestations eventually improve .
Our patient also had a history of underlying PACG that may have predisposed her to the development of choroidal detachments. Studies have shown an association of PACG with underlying uveal effusion [5–7]. It has been proposed that individuals with PACG may have a dysfunctional ability to regulate choroidal thickness . Patients with CCFs have abnormal venous drainage that results in subsequent orbital congestion . The underlying propensity of patients with PACG to accumulate fluid in the choroidal space may be exacerbated by a CCF and result in the development of a choroidal detachment. Choroidal detachments are relatively rare in the setting of CCFs  and our patient was likely predisposed to this complication as a result of her underlying PACG and uveal effusion.
It is imperative that individuals who have undergone apparent closure of a CCF be carefully monitored for worsening ocular complications. In addition, PACG may be a risk factor for the development of choroidal detachments in the setting of a CCF.
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.
The authors would like to thank Dr. M. J. Ayad from the Department of Neurological Surgery at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center for his neurological expertise in managing this patient. Dr. Ayad performed and interpreted the cerebral angiograms. He also advised on treatment options including embolization and self-administered manual carotid jugular compressions.
This study was partially supported by an Unrestricted Challenge Grant to the Vanderbilt Eye Institute from Research to Prevent Blindness. Research to Prevent Blindness had no role in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.
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