Carotid cavernous fistula.

A carotid-cavernous fistula (C.C.F.) is a condition resulting from an artificial direct communication between an artery and an adjacent vein within the cavernous sinus. C.C.F. produces a characteristic syndrome compromised of severe unilateral headaches accompanied by homolateral carotid bruit, progressive exopathalmos with edema, retinal hemorrhage and variable degrees of ophthalmoplegia followed by subsequent blindness. A prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential to obviate the serious