Control of hemorrhage from a common carotid arterial-cutaneous fistula by temporary implantation of a balloon catheter.

Hemorrhage from an infected carotid arterial-cutaneous fistula was treated by occlusion of the common carotid artery with a 6-French (Swan-Ganz) balloon catheter. After nine months, there was no recurrence of bleeding or neurological sequelae. Temporary balloon occlusion to induce thrombosis of a major artery is an alternative to transcatheter embolization of small particulate material and larger foreign bodies.