[Carotid-cavernous fistulas of low-flow type: color Doppler imaging of retrobulbar vessels findings].

BACKGROUND: Carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCF) of low-flow type are the results of development of communication between small arteries and veins of cavernous sinus. PURPOSE: To assess the role of CDI of retrobulbar vessels in the study of two patients with CCF of low-flow type. METHODS: We have used a sonographer with 9MHz linear probe. RESULTS: . The initial diagnosis was suspected clinically: both patients presented unilateral chemosis and orbital bruit. It was sustained by CDI of retrobulbar vessels: reversed flow in the superior ophthalmic vein, with a venous arterialisation and confirmed with complete selective digital substraction angiography, which is essential for a correct diagnosis(early opacification of veins draining cavernous sinus, etc). CONCLUSIONS: CDI of retrobulbar vessels is a repetitive non-invasive technique, which is used for monitoring carotid-cavernous fistulas of low-flow type, because they are sometimes a self-limiting pathology (spontaneous venous thrombosis).