Rapid thrombectomy of superior sagittal sinus and transverse sinus thrombosis with a rheolytic catheter device

Thrombosis of the dural venous sinuses is a potentially lethal condition that remains a diagnostic dilemma. Clinical outcome is typically dependent on the timeliness of diagnosis and definitive treatment. We report a case of successful rapid thrombectomy of extensive thrombus within the superior sagittal and transverse sinuses using a rheolytic catheter device. This appears to be a promising treatment option, particularly in those patients who do not respond to other, more established, forms of therapy.     

Acute thrombosis of the intracranial dural sinus: direct thrombolytic treatment.

Acute intracranial dural sinus thrombosis may have severe morbidity or fatal complications without appropriate treatment. Direct dural sinus venography can be performed safely with a soft Tracker catheter to document the fresh thrombus as an adjunct to CT or MR. We are reporting our experience with successful direct urokinase thrombolytic therapy in three cases of superior sagittal sinus and two cases of transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis. All five patients have recovered completely without any residual clinical deficit.     

AngioJet药物机械偶联血栓清除术治疗急性下肢深静脉血栓形成

目的 探讨AngioJet药物机械偶联血栓清除术治疗急性下肢深静脉血栓形成(DVT)的效果与并发症.方法 回顾性分析2015年2月至2016年8月通过AngioJet药物机械偶联血栓清除术治疗的22例急性下肢DVT患者临床资料,依据患者术后临床症状缓解情况及血栓清除率评估治疗效果,观察手术相关并发症发生情况.结果 22例患者术后症状即刻缓解,患健肢大腿周径差由术前(4.5±0.6) cm下降至术后(1.0±0.4) cm(P＜0.05).尿激酶平均剂量(18.4±3.1)万U,平均溶栓时间(4.2±0.7)h.19例DVT完全清除(＞90％),2例大部分清除(50％～90％),1例部分清除(＜50％).术后6例患者出现短暂性血红蛋白尿,经补液水化后当日缓解,无肺栓塞、大出血等并发症发生.结论 AngioJet药物机械偶联血栓清除术治疗急性下肢DVT安全有效,并发症少.     

重症颅内静脉窦血栓的介入溶栓治疗

颅内静脉窦血栓形成是缺血性脑血管病的一种特殊类型,不仅漏诊、误诊率高,且由于病变深在颅内、病因多样、发病凶险等因素导致死亡率很高,据统计达10%~33%.长期以来,临床上对于此病的治疗多采取降颅压、抗凝及针对病因的药物治疗,缺乏更为直接有效的治疗手段.     

Treatment of obstructive nephroureteral clot with a rheolytic mechanical thrombectomy device

Thrombus within the renal collecting system and ureter after percutaneous intervention is usually self-limited, but when it is obstructive enough to produce anuria, it can cause deterioration of renal function. Herein a case of a patient with a transplant kidney in whom clot anuria developed after conversion of a nephroureteral stent to a nephrostomy catheter is presented. Internal urine drainage was restored with the use of a rheolytic mechanical thrombectomy device, with subsequent return of normal renal function.     

Computerized tomography in dural sinus thrombosis

The incidence of dural sinus thrombosis (DST) appears to be on the rise. This is most probably due to an increased awareness as well as the earlier detection by computerized tomography (CT). Computerized tomography has emerged as the radiological screening procedure of choice and may in fact be the only investigation necessary. The CT scans should be done without and with contrast enhancement. A number of signs have been described; some are pathognomonic while others are nonspecific. As CT is relatively noninvasive, follow up scans at appropriate intervals can be done in patients suspected of having DST. CT can also aid in the understanding of its evolution and can prognosticate its outcome. Angiography is only reserved for a selected few where diagnosis proves difficult. We report our experience of 13 patients with DST.     

Dural sinus compartment in dural arteriovenous shunts: a new angioarchitectural feature allowing superselective transvenous dural sinus occlusion treatment

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The dural sinus occlusion has been shown to be effective in the treatment of some dural arteriovenous shunts (DAVS). No long-term results are available, however, regarding the significance of occlusion of a dural sinus. If the disease will stop or if other events will occur later in the remaining sinuses are not well known yet. Careful analyses of our cases led us to discover that, in some instances, the shunt involves only a single portion or compartment of a sinus. In this report, we describe our results in the treatment of these lesions: occluding only the involved compartment while preserving patency of the remainder of the sinus and the angiographic signals, thus allowing diagnosis of the presence of a compartment. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 1996 to October 2002, we found 12 cases of DAVS (among 40 news cases of DAVS) with two types of compartments--one inside the sinus, which we call "septation" (nine cases), and the other outside the sinus, which we call "accessory sinus" (three cases). It was possible to occlude completely the lesion superselectively in nine cases. In two cases, it was necessary to occlude the entire sinus secondarily, and in one case the sinus was occluded because was impossible to catheterize the septation. Two cases with recanalization on the control were treated by additional arterial and arterial and venous approach. CONCLUSION: It is very important to diagnose the presence of a compartment in dural arteriovenous shunts during the diagnostic angiography. In most cases, it allows curative treatment of the lesion by occluding only the compartment while preserving patency of the remainder of the sinus.     

Computed tomography of dural sinus thrombosis

The four patients presented here demonstrate the value of contrast enhanced CT in the diagnosis and serial evaluation of dural sinus thrombosis. Two patients were young women using oral contraceptives; another patient had lateral sinus thrombosis complicating mastoiditis; a fourth patient developed superior sagittal sinus thrombosis following hip surgery. Improvements in CT diagnosis, including the use of thin sections for evaluation of the deep venous structures and lateral sinuses complemented by multiplanar reconstruction or direct coronal scanning, are discussed. Sequential scans for following the progress of two patients treated by barbiturate coma added to the understanding of dural sinus occlusive disease.     

重症硬脑膜静脉窦血栓的局部溶栓治疗

目的 研究重症硬脑膜静脉窦血栓的局部溶栓治疗的方法及疗效。方法 总结我院自2000年以来6例重症硬脑膜静脉窦血栓的局部溶栓治疗经验，男4例，女2例，其中4例采用一侧股动脉及对侧股静脉Seldinger穿刺，2例采用股动脉Seldinger穿刺及上矢状窦前1／3穿刺。导管置入一侧颈内动脉及静脉窦血栓处后，于颈内动脉及静脉窦血栓处先后各用尿激酶50万U，以每分钟1万U泵入，再于静脉窦血栓处泵入尿激酶持续溶栓，维持外周血中纤维蛋白原含量1．0～1．5g／L，同时予全身肝素化，维持外周血活化部分凝血活酶时间正常值的2～3倍。结果 本组6例，5例痊愈，颅内压转正常，头痛消失，无神经功能障碍，其中4例数字减影血管造影(DSA)见浅表静脉扩张消失，静脉窦显影正常，1例浅表静脉扩张明显改善，静脉窦显影较前好转；1例好转，颅内压较前降低，头痛好转，DSA见浅表静脉扩张消失，静脉窦显影正常，抗凝治疗1个月后颅内压正常，头痛消失，神经功能恢复正常。结论 重症硬脑膜静脉窦血栓采用动静脉系统联合应用尿激酶局部溶栓治疗是快速、安全、有效的方法，经股静脉途径不易到达静脉窦血栓处者，可以行上矢状窦入路。     

Treatment of dural sinus thrombosis by urokinase infusion.

PURPOSETo gain a preliminary understanding of the role of thrombolytic therapy for the thrombosed dural sinus, we retrospectively reviewed our initial experience.METHODSSeven patients, ages 25 to 71, who presented with symptomatic dural sinus thrombosis and who failed a trial of medical therapy were treated with direct infusion of urokinase into the thrombosed sinus. Patients received urokinase doses ranging from 20,000 to 150,000 U/h with a mean infusion time of 163 hours (range 88 to 244 hours).RESULTSPatency of the affected dural sinus was achieved with antegrade flow in all patients. Six patients either improved neurologically over their prethrombolysis state or were healthy after thrombolysis; one of them required angioplasty. The other patient improved after surgical repair of a residual dural arteriovenous fistula. The only complications were an infected femoral access site which resolved after treatment with antibiotics and hematuria which cleared after discontinuation of anticoagulation.CONCLUSIONSThrombolysis of the thrombosed dural sinus shows promise as a safe and efficacious treatment. The results of this study should provide the impetus for further research.     

Core curriculum illustration: dural venous sinus thrombosis

This is the 25th installment of a series that will highlight one case per publication issue from the bank of cases available online as a part of the American Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER) educational resources. Our goal is to generate more interest in and use of our online materials. To view more cases online, please visit the ASER Core Curriculum and Recommendations for study online at http://www.aseronline.org/curriculum/toc.htm.     

Changing ventricular size in dural sinus thrombosis

Two cases of dural sinus thrombosis with enlarging ventricles are presented. The natural history of dural sinus thrombosis may explain the changing ventricular size.     

Use of rheolytic thrombectomy in treatment of acute massive pulmonary embolism

PURPOSE: The 6-F Xpeedior (AngioJet; Possis Medical, Minneapolis, MN) rheolytic thrombectomy catheter (RTC) uses high velocity saline jets for thrombus aspiration, maceration, and evacuation, through the Bernoulli principle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of thrombus removal using the RTC in patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients (mean age, 51.7 + 16.6 years; range, 30-86 years; 9 men, 8 women) with massive PE initially diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) or VQ scan and confirmed by pulmonary angiography were treated with the RTC. All patients had acute onset of PE symptoms and all presented with hemodynamic compromise and dyspnea. Ten of 17 patients had enough residual thrombus to warrant adjuvant catheter directed thrombolytic infusion with reteplase. Six patients had contraindications to thrombolytic therapy. One patient presented with renal cell carcinoma and tumor embolus as suspected cause of PE. Angiographic and clinical outcomes during the hospital stay were evaluated. RESULTS: The RTC was successfully delivered and operated via a 0.035-inch guide wire in all attempted cases. Treatment resulted in immediate angiographic improvement and initial relief of PE symptoms (improvement in dyspnea and oxygen saturation) in 16 of 17 patients. One patient developed heart block during the procedure, and further treatment with the RTC was discontinued. Bradycardia occurred in one patient (managed with lidocaine). After thrombectomy, 10 patients received adjunctive reteplase thrombolysis for treatment of residual thrombus, and 12 received inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. In the patient with renal cell carcinoma, histopathologic analysis of the evacuated material confirmed tumor origin of the embolism. There were two deaths, both within 24 hours of treatment and secondary to PE. One death occurred in a patient who had only minimal thrombus removal after treatment with the RTC and no thrombolysis. The remaining 15 patients showed continued improvement in PE symptoms and were eventually discharged from the hospital with mean length of stay 10.3 + 6.5 days (range, 5-30 days). CONCLUSIONS: Rheolytic thrombectomy can be performed effectively in patients with massive PE. However, a large portion of the patients in this study underwent adjuvant overnight thrombolytic infusion. Further evaluation in a larger cohort of patients is warranted to assess whether this treatment may offer an alternative or complement to thrombolysis or surgical thrombectomy.     

Selective infusion of urokinase and thrombectomy in the treatment of acute cerebral sinus thrombosis

Acute cerebral sinus thrombosis caused a patient to decompensate rapidly and required immediate relief of her venous thrombosis as a life-saving procedure. The thrombus was laced with urokinase and removed from the sinuses with thrombectomy catheters. This reinstituted flow and she recovered full neurologic function within 4 hours.     

Mechanical thrombectomy in acute venous thrombosis using an Amplatz thrombectomy device

Three cases of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy using the Amplatz thrombectomy device are presented. All cases involve the application of the device in a major thoracic or abdominal vein in situations in which chemothrombolysis was contraindicated. The method of operation of the Amplatz thrombectomy device, as well as a brief overview of its clinical applications, are presented.     

MRI assessment of unsuspected dural sinus thrombosis

Summary In three patients with clinically unsuspected diagnosis, MRI has afforded a positive and conspicuous demonstration of dural sinus thrombosis, allowing specific treatment and followed by improvement in the patients' condition. Even in retrospect, CT examinations were nondiagnostic. Presenting symptoms were usual and nonspecific. CT and radionuclide scanning have proved valuable when performed on a clinically oriented basis. Angiography cannot be carried out without clear indications. MRI offers advantages in being a non-invasive technique without ionising radiation, allowing direct visualization and accurate delineation of the thrombus. MRI is definitely the method of choice to assess clinically suspected cerebral venous occlusion. As MR diagnosis relies on a routine examination protocol, we believe that it will detect other unsuspected cases of dural sinus thrombosis.     

Acute subarachnoid haemorrhage: a rare presentation of cerebral dural sinus thrombosis

We report a case of cerebral dural sinus thrombosis presenting as acute subarachnoid haemorrhage and clinically mimicking an aneurysmal bleed. Awareness of this rare initial presentation of cerebral venous thrombosis is important and should be considered in the diagnostic work-up of acute subarachnoid haemorrhage. The radiologist plays a crucial role in making this often unsuspected but important diagnosis to enable prompt appropriate treatment.     

Direct endovascular thrombolytic therapy for dural sinus thrombosis: infusion of alteplase.

PURPOSETo evaluate the efficacy, safety, and results of direct thrombolytic therapy in intracranial dural sinus thrombosis by infusion of alteplase (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator).METHODSNine patients were treated during a 2-year period for intracranial dural sinus thrombosis. A microcatheter was placed directly into the thrombus in the dural sinus via the transfemoral route. Thrombolysis was initiated with a rapid injection of 10 mg of alteplase over 10 minutes, followed in 3 hours by a continuous infusion of 50 mg, then a continuous infusion at 5 mg per hour until complete thrombolysis or a total dose of 100 mg per day had been reached. Repeat thrombolysis was tried the following day if complete recanalization did not occur at 100 mg per day.RESULTSSuccessful recanalization with improvement of symptoms was achieved in all cases. Time required for complete thrombolysis was between 8 and 43 hours. The total dose of alteplase ranged from 50 to 300 mg. Complications of a small intrapelvic hemorrhage and oozing at a femoral puncture site occurred in separate cases, but were not related to the amount of infused alteplase. MR venograms obtained 1 to 4 weeks after the procedure showed no evidence of reocclusion of the dural sinuses.CONCLUSIONDirect fibrinolytic therapy with alteplase is safe, fast, and effective in treating dural sinus thrombosis. However, to prevent hemorrhagic complications, further studies are required to determine its optimal dose and proper rate of administration.