AIM: To analyze the clinical and angiographic outcomes of interventional embolization under transarterial balloon protection technique in patients with cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas.

MATERIAL and METHODS: In a single-center cohort of 30 patients undergoing cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas embolization under balloon protection. We collected their clinical symptoms, complications, mid-term follow-up angiographic results, and long-term clinical outcomes for the baseline characteristics.

RESULTS: Thirty patients with 31 lesions were included in this study. Immediate applications of angiographies after embolization indicated that complete obliteration occurred in 29 lesions (93.5% of 31 lesions). Two cases with permanent trigeminal nerve palsy were treated by arterial approach. Onyx dispersed into the internal carotid artery in one process, and salvage stent implantation was performed to prevent parent artery occlusion.

CONCLUSION: Interventional embolization with intra-arterial balloon protection is effective and safe with rarely occurring complications.