Carotid Cavernous Fistula

What is a Carotid-Cavernous Fistula?

A carotid-cavernous fistula (often called a CCF) is an abnormal connection between an artery in the neck or head and a vein-filled space behind the eye called the cavernous sinus. When blood flows through this wrong pathway, pressure can build up around the eye and the nerves that control eye movement and vision. Some symptoms can feel alarming, but the right evaluation helps clarify what is happening and whether urgent treatment is needed. If you have sudden vision loss, severe headache, new confusion, or stroke-like symptoms, seek emergency care right away.

Carotid Cavernous Fistula Treatment in Glendale, CA

A suspected CCF deserves careful, step-by-step evaluation. I review your symptoms, examine the eyes and nerves, and study imaging to confirm the diagnosis and understand the fistula’s pattern. A treatment plan is then made according to your anatomy and overall health, including the option of Carotid-Cavernous Fistula Treatment & Management with minimally invasive techniques when appropriate.

I am Tigran Khachatryan, MD, PhD, a neurovascular and endovascular neurologist practicing at the Armenian Neuroscience Institute. My training includes U.S.-based neurology and vascular neurology training and fellowship training in interventional neurology, and I am board-certified in General Neurology and Vascular Neurology.

For some patients, the safest next step is detailed vascular imaging, and for others, treatment can be planned promptly after diagnosis. When indicated, I provide Carotid Cavernous Fistula Treatment in Glendale, CA, with a focus on protecting vision and reducing abnormal blood flow in a controlled way.

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Procedures Used for Diagnosis and Care of Carotid-Cavernous Fistula

Getting the details right matters because CCFs can vary in flow, size, and drainage pattern. Planning for Carotid Cavernous Fistula Treatment in Glendale often starts with tests that map the blood vessels precisely.

01. Diagnostic Cerebral Angiogram

A Diagnostic Cerebral Angiogram is a catheter-based study that maps blood flow in real time. I guide a thin tube through a blood vessel, inject contrast dye, and capture detailed images of arteries and veins. This helps confirm a fistula, define its drainage pattern, and plan the safest treatment approach.

02. Embolization of Carotid-Cavernous Fistula

Embolization of the Carotid-Cavernous Fistula closes the abnormal connection from inside the blood vessels. Through a small access point, I navigate catheters to the fistula and place coils or other embolic materials to redirect blood flow back to normal pathways. The goal is to relieve eye pressure and protect vision safely.

03. Follow-Up Care and Monitoring

Follow-Up Care and Monitoring includes symptom checks, neurological and eye assessments, and repeat imaging when needed. I review recovery, track vision changes, and watch for signs of recurrence or persistent drainage. Follow-up timing depends on your fistula type, treatment method, and overall health, so plans are carefully individualized over time.

Common Symptoms Carotid-Cavernous Fistula Patients Notice

Symptoms often involve the eye and the area around it, and they may begin suddenly or build gradually. People coming for Carotid Cavernous Fistula Treatment in Glendale sometimes report:

Red or “bloodshot” eye that does not improve.
Bulging or swelling around one eye.
Whooshing sound in the head (pulsatile tinnitus), often in sync with the heartbeat.
Double vision or trouble moving the eye normally.
Blurry vision, eye pain, or a feeling of pressure.
Headache or facial pain.
Drooping eyelid or changes in pupil size.

Because these symptoms can overlap with other eye and neurological conditions, a focused evaluation is important.

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Causes and Risk Factors of Carotid-Cavernous Fistula

A carotid-cavernous fistula can happen for different reasons, and the cause helps guide treatment decisions.

Injury-related (traumatic) CCF: Can occur after head or facial trauma, including some accidents or falls.
Spontaneous CCF: Can occur without a clear injury and may relate to changes in blood vessel walls over time.
Vessel conditions: Some fistulas are associated with aneurysms or other blood vessel abnormalities.
Connective tissue and clotting factors: In certain patients, underlying conditions affecting blood vessels or clotting may play a role.

If you have risk factors, it does not mean a fistula will occur, but it can shape how quickly I recommend diagnostic testing.

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(833) 888-9933

Get an Appointment

If you are searching for Carotid Cavernous Fistula Treatment near Glendale, CA, you can schedule a consultation at my Glendale office at 1505 Wilson Terrace, Suite 150, Glendale, CA 91206. New patients are welcome, and expedited appointments may be available.

Phone: +1 (833) 888-9933

Office hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Call hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Appointments are required. If your symptoms are rapidly worsening, especially with vision changes, ask about urgent evaluation and whether you should go to the emergency department.

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