Hemicranial postural headache as a first symptom of a spontaneous carotid cavernous fistula: A case report. Issue 41 (14th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Li; Zhong, Yushi; Wu, Bin; Tang, Xianbi; Yi, Ziwei; Pan, Chuzheng
• Is Part Of: Medicine. Volume 101:Issue 41(2022)
• Page Start: e31088
• Publication Date: 2022-10-14
• Subjects: carotid cavernous fistula -- digital subtraction angiography -- epistaxis -- postural headache; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine -- Périodiques; Geneeskunde; Medicine; Periodicals; Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000031088
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-7974

Abstract

Abstract : Rationale: Spontaneous carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is rare, and the expression of headache caused by it can be variable. Patient concerns: A case of a man hospitalized for high-intensity hemicranial headache which was aggravated by lying down and relieved when standing or sitting. The pain was of a pulsating character, localized on the right, behind the eye, followed by nausea and vomiting. He gradually appeared with ophthalmoplegia, decreased visual acuity and epistaxis. Diagnosis: Digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) showed a pseudoaneurysm arising from the internal carotid artery (ICA) that projected anteriorly and medially into the sphenoid sinus with occluded fistula. Interventions: The pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated with covered stent. Outcomes: The patient was then followed up clinically at the outpatient and seen in the outpatient clinic with no further episodes of nasal bleeding or new neurologic deficit. The vision loss and ophthalmoparesis were unchanged. Lessons: Hemicranial postural headache may be the first and characteristic sign of spontaneous CCF.