Rapid progressive vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia with cerebral venous thrombosis after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222) vaccination: A case report

BACKGROUNDVaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition after receiving coronavirus disease vaccines. It is characterized by symptom onset at 5 to 30 d postvaccination, thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, high D-dimer level, and antiplatelet factor 4 (anti-PF4) antibody positivity. VITT can progress very fast, requiring urgent management. Only few studies have described its detailed clinical course and imaging changes. We report a typical VITT case in a patient who underwent regular repeated brain imaging examinations.CASE SUMMARYA young woman presented with headaches at 7 d after the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222) injection. She then showed progressive symptoms of left upper limb clumsiness. Brain computed tomography revealed venous infarction at the right parietal lobe with a hyperacute thrombus in the cortical vein. Two hours later, brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed hemorrhage at the same area. Magnetic resonance venography showed an irregular contour of the right transverse sinus. Laboratory examination revealed a high D-dimer level, thrombocytopenia, and a high titer for anti-PF4 antibodies. She was treated with anticoagulants, intravenous immunoglobulin, and steroids and analgesic agents were administered for pain control. She had a marked improvement on headaches and clumsiness after treatment along with radiological thrombus resolution. During follow-up at the outpatient department, her modified Rankin scale at 90 d was 1. CONCLUSIONClinicians should be alerted whenever patients present with persistent and progressive headaches or focal motor/sensory deficits postvaccination.     

Headache as the sole presentation of cerebral venous thrombosis: a prospective study

Headache is the most frequent presenting symptom of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), most commonly associated with other manifestations. It has been described as its only clinical presentation in 15 % of patients. There is no typical pattern of headache in CVT. The objective of this study was to study the characteristics of headache as the sole manifestation of CVT. From a prospective study of 30 consecutive patients diagnosed with CVT over 18 months, we selected those who presented with headache only: they had a normal neurological examination, no papilloedema and no blood or any parenchymal lesion on CT scan. All were submitted to a systematic etiological workup and a structured questionnaire about the characteristics of headache was provided. Headache was the sole manifestation of CVT in 12 patients; it was diffuse or bilateral in the majority. Seven patients referred worsening with sleep/lying down, Valsalva maneuvers or straining. There was no association between the characteristics of headache and extension of CVT. Time from onset to diagnosis was significantly delayed in these patients presenting only with headache. In our series, 40 % of patients presented only with headache. There was no uniform pattern of headache apart from being bilateral. There was a significant delay of diagnosis in these patients. Some characteristics of headache should raise the suspicion of CVT: recent persistent headache, thunderclap headache or pain worsening with straining, sleep/lying down or Valsalva maneuvers even in the absence of papilloedema or focal signs.     

Cancer and risk of cerebral venous thrombosis: a case–control study

Essentials

The risk of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in patients with cancer is not known.

We performed a case‐control study including 594 patients with CVT and 6278 controls.

History of cancer increased the risk of CVT approximately 5‐fold.

The association was strongest with hematological cancer in the first year after diagnosis.

Summary

Background

Cancer is an established risk factor for leg vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Controlled studies assessing the risk of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in patients with cancer have not been performed.

Objective

To assess whether cancer is a risk factor for CVT.

Patients/Methods

This was a case–control study. We assessed consecutive adult patients with CVT from three academic hospitals from 1987 to 2015, and control subjects from the Dutch MEGA study (Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment of risk factors for venous thrombosis). We adjusted for age, sex and oral contraceptive use, and stratified for type of cancer and time since diagnosis of cancer.

Results

We included 594 cases and 6278 controls. In total, 53 cases (8.9%) and 160 controls (2.5%) had a history of cancer. Cases were younger (median 42 vs. 48 years), more often female (68% vs. 54%) and more often used oral contraceptives (55% vs. 23%) than controls. The risk of CVT was increased in patients with cancer compared with those without cancer (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.46–6.81). Patients with a hematological type of cancer had a higher risk of CVT (aOR, 25.14; 95% CI, 11.64–54.30) than those with a solid type of cancer (aOR, 3.07; 95% CI, 2.03–4.65). The association was strongest in the first year after diagnosis of cancer (hematological aOR, 85.57; 95% CI, 19.70–371.69; solid aOR, 10.50; 95% CI, 5.40–20.42).

Conclusions

Our study indicates that cancer is a strong risk factor for CVT, particularly within the first year of diagnosis and in patients with a hematological type of cancer.     

AstraZeneca COVID‐19 vaccine: A possible risk factor for ischemic stroke and cerebral venous sagittal sinus thrombosis: A case series

One of the most prevalent neurological impairments is cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Ischemic stroke and CVST have been linked to the AstraZeneca COVID‐19 vaccine. Three Sudanese patients developed these diseases after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID‐19 vaccine, indicating a relationship between the AstraZeneca COVID‐19 vaccine and these conditions.     

A likely unavoidable clinical scenario during treatment for venous thromboembolism complicated with severe immune thrombocytopenia: A case report

Patients with immune thrombocytopenia have increased risks of bleeding and thrombosis. The acute‐phase treatment for venous thromboembolism complicated with severe immune thrombocytopenia involves a “platelet dilemma” in therapeutic decision‐making.     

MR二维时间飞跃法、三维梯度毁损回波序列及时间分辨对比剂动态显像诊断颅内静脉窦血栓

目的 观察MR二维时间飞跃法(2D-TOF)、三维梯度毁损回波序列(3D-SPGR)及时间分辨对比剂动态显像(TRICKS)诊断颅内静脉窦血栓(CVST)的价值。方法 前瞻性纳入38例疑诊脑静脉血栓患者,对其行MR 2D-TOF、3D-SPGR、TRIKS及数字减影血管造影(DSA)检查;以DSA为金标准,观察3种MR序列显示颅内静脉窦的能力,评估其诊断CVST的效能。结果 38例中,9例MRI及DSA均诊断CVST、29例MRI及DSA均提示无CVST。3D-SPGR及TRICK序列图像均可显示上矢状窦、下矢状窦、双侧横窦、双侧乙状窦、直窦及窦汇,且二者对上矢状窦、双侧横窦及左侧乙状窦的显示率均明显高于2D-TOF(P均<0.05)。2D-TOF诊断CVST的效能低于DSA(P=0.025),而3D-SPGR及TRICKS诊断CVST的效能与DSA无明显差异(P=0.34、0.26);2D-TOF、3D-SPRG和TRICKS诊断CVST与DSA的一致性分别为中等、极高和高(Kappa=0.570、0.917、0.788),其诊断CVST的曲线下面积分别为0.716、0.910...     

Fatal cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as a manifestation of uncontrolled systemic lupus erythematosus in a young African female

In a young patient with systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with status epilepticus and neurological deficits, early brain imaging, risk factor identification and prompt treatment of underlying lupus flare‐up and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis could significantly improve the management and prognosis.     

Use of elastic compression stockings after deep venous thrombosis: a comparison of practices and perceptions of thrombosis physicians and patients1

Summary. Daily long‐term use of elastic compression stockings (ECS) by patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) may help to prevent the post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS). However, the effectiveness of ECS in clinical practice is difficult to predict, since the practices and perceptions of patients and thrombosis physicians regarding ECS have not been documented. The objectives were to survey DVT patients and thrombosis physicians on their practices and perceptions regarding use of ECS after DVT, and to evaluate whether physician perceptions are supported by patient responses. Two surveys were conducted. The first was sent to 38 Canadian thrombosis physicians. The second was administered to 80 DVT patients attending Thrombosis Clinic at one of two Canadian university‐affiliated hospitals. Most physicians believed that ECS were useful in preventing PTS and in managing venous symptoms. However, there was a lack of consensus regarding the optimal timing of initiation of ECS, duration of therapy, and compression strength, and only one‐third routinely prescribed ECS to asymptomatic patients to prevent PTS. Most DVT patients who were prescribed ECS purchased them, 87% wore them daily, and most reported that ECS relieved swelling and symptoms. Physicians underestimated the degree of patient compliance with ECS, but correctly identified the main reasons for non‐compliance. There is a lack of consensus among thrombosis physicans regarding ECS use after DVT. Patients with DVT are willing to comply with ECS therapy and most find them to be helpful. Our findings suggest that long‐term study of the optimal use of ECS after DVT is both necessary and feasible.     

Successful treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis by balloon venoplasty: a case report

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a special cerebrovascular disease affecting young adult and middle-aged people. The clinical manifestations of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis are diverse and nonspecific; thus, imaging plays an important role in early diagnosis. Anticoagulation with heparin is the preferred treatment for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Endovascular treatment is also being increasingly used to achieve recanalization of the cerebral venous sinus. We herein describe a woman in her early 50s who was diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis for which anticoagulation with heparin was ineffective. To improve her symptoms and prognosis, we selected balloon venoplasty to treat the right sigmoid sinus thrombosis. Her condition subsequently improved, and no recurrence was observed after several follow-ups.     

Embryonic cervical rhabdomyosarcoma complicated with uterine inversion with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as the first symptom: a case report and literature review

The probability of rhabdomyosarcoma occurring in the cervix is less than 0.5% and may be associated with a pathogenic dicer 1, ribonuclease III (DICER1) gene variation. Tumour-induced hypercoagulability and high levels of cancer antigen (CA) 125 are risk factors for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). In addition, although nonpuerperal uterine inversion is very rare and is usually caused by leiomyomas from the uterus, large cervical masses can also be the cause. This case report describes a 24-year-old woman with uterine inversion caused by an embryonic cervical rhabdomyosarcoma that presented with CVST as her first symptom. The patient underwent laparoscopic total uterus and bilateral salpingectomy, during which the uterus was found to be completely inverted. Postoperative pathology confirmed embryonic cervical rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient quickly developed lung and para-aortic lymph node metastases. Two months later, the patient died of complications. When coagulation indices in patients with tumours are abnormal, especially when the levels of D-dimer and CA125 increase, it is recommended that anticoagulant therapy is administered in a timely manner to prevent the occurrence of CVST. Furthermore, for large cervical tumours, physicians should also be alert to the occurrence of uterine inversion.     

Serious events following COVID‐19 vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccine (Vaxzevria): A short case series from Iran

In 2020, the SARS‐COV‐2 disease (COVID‐19) imposed huge challenges on the health, economic, and political systems, and by the end of the year, hope had been born with the release of COVID‐19 vaccines aimed at bringing the pandemic to an end. However, the COVID‐19 vaccination programs have sparked several concerns and ongoing debates over safety issues. Here, we presented three cases of patients with serious adverse events, encephalopathy, vaccine‐induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia, and leukocytoclastic vasculitis, after receiving the ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccine. Therefore, it is critical to investigate and report the occurrence of adverse reactions following vaccination, particularly serious ones, as it contributes to the growing body of research and assists clinicians in better diagnosing and managing them.     

Optic neuropathy,a warning for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and underlying dural arteriovenous fistulae

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) typically presents as headache, papilledema, and seizures. A dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is a rare intracranial vascular malformation, and common symptoms include headache, pulsatile tinnitus, and stroke. The occurrence of CVST as a complication of DAVF is infrequent. Moreover, optic neuropathy presenting as the initial symptom of CVST and secondary DAVF is also unusual. We present a case of a patient with optic neuropathy and persistent intracranial hypertension who underwent head magnetic resonance imaging, which indicated CVST. She received normative anticoagulant and dehydration therapy; however, a repeated lumbar puncture showed dramatically increased intracranial pressure. Further digital subtraction angiography revealed an intracranial DAVF. The patient was finally diagnosed with a DAVF and secondary CVST. This case indicates that intractable optic neuropathy could be an uncommon indicator for CVST and secondary DAVF. Early diagnosis and early treatment are essential for visual rehabilitation and prognosis improvement.     

The combined vaginal contraceptive ring, nuvaring, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Combined oral contraceptives are known to confer a risk of venous thromboembolism, including cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), to otherwise healthy women. NuvaRing (Organon USA, Inc., Roseland, NJ) is a contraceptive vaginal ring that delivers 120 μg of etonogestrel and 15 μg of ethinyl estradiol per day. Its use has been associated with rare venous thromboembolic events, but few cases of CVST associated with NuvaRing have been reported.

Objective

To describe a case that illustrates the increased risk of CVST associated with use of NuvaRing. We describe the case of a NuvaRing user who presented to our emergency department with a headache, who was diagnosed with CVST.

Conclusion

Evidence suggests that NuvaRing has at least as much prothrombotic potential as combined oral contraceptives. Thus, emergency physicians should suspect serious venous thromboembolic events, including CVST, deep venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism, in NuvaRing users in the proper clinical setting.     

Deep venous thrombosis after surgery for Achilles tendon rupture: a provoked transient event with minor long‐term sequelae

Summary. Background: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) occurs frequently in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery, but there is a lack of knowledge regarding long‐term sequelae of DVT after different types of surgical procedures. Objective: To describe the long‐term effect of symptomatic (SDVT) and asymptomatic (ADVT) deep venous thrombosis on venous function and subsequent incidence of post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) in patients who have undergone surgery for Achilles tendon rupture. Patients/methods: This observational follow‐up study includes 83 patients with postoperative DVT, examined after a mean of 7 years. There were two series of patients: 45 with SDVT and 38 with ADVT. In both series, more than 90% of the DVTs were limited to calf veins. Follow‐up examinations comprised color duplex ultrasonography (CDU), strain‐gauge plethysmography (SGP), clinical examination including scoring for venous disease and questionnaires for quality of life (QOL). Results: A mild degree of PTS was found in 11% of the patients: 13% in SDVT and 8% in ADVT patients. The rate of recurrent ipsilateral DVT was 2%. Deep venous reflux was more common in patients with SDVT than in ADVT patients (84% vs. 55%, P < 0.01). Only a few patients had plethysmograpically abnormal findings without difference between the two groups. Conclusion: DVT after surgery for Achilles tendon rupture consists mainly of distal DVTs and are associated with a low risk for PTS. Deep venous reflux was more common in SDVT than in ADVT patients, probably as an effect of larger DVTs in the former group.     

Prevalence and predictors for post‐thrombotic syndrome 3 to 16 years after pregnancy‐related venous thrombosis: a population‐based,cross‐sectional,case‐control study

Background:  The long‐term outcome of pregnancy‐related venous thrombosis (VT) is not known. Objectives:  To assess predictors and long‐term frequency of post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) after pregnancy‐related VT. Patients/Methods:  In 2006, 313 women with pregnancy‐related VT during 1990–2003 and 353 controls answered a comprehensive questionnaire that included self‐reported Villalta score as a measure of PTS. Cases were identified from 18 Norwegian hospitals using the Norwegian Patient Registry and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. The latter was used to select as possible controls women who gave birth at the same time as a case. Thirty‐nine patients and four controls were excluded because of VT outside the lower limbs/lungs or missing Villalta scores. Two hundred and four patients had DVT in the lower limb and 70 had pulmonary embolism (PE). The control group comprised 349 women naive for VT at the time of the index pregnancy. Results:  Forty‐two per cent of cases with DVT in the lower limb, compared with 24% of cases with PE and 10% of controls, reported a Villalta score of ≥ 5. Severe PTS (Villalta score of ≥ 15) was reported among 7%, 4% and 1%. Proximal postnatal, but not antenatal, thrombosis was a strong predictor of PTS with an adjusted odds ratio of 6.3 (95% confidence interval, 2.0–19.8; P = 0.002). Daily smoking before the index pregnancy and age above 33 years at event were independent predictors for post‐thrombotic syndrome. Conclusions:  PTS is a common long‐term complication after pregnancy‐related DVT. Proximal postnatal thrombosis, smoking and higher age were independent predictors of the development of PTS.     

Risk of post‐thrombotic syndrome after subtherapeutic warfarin anticoagulation for a first unprovoked deep vein thrombosis: results from the REVERSE study

Summary. Background: Risk factors for post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) remain poorly understood. Objectives: In this multinational multicenter study, we evaluated whether subtherapeutic warfarin anticoagulation was associated with the development of PTS. Methods: Patients with a first unprovoked deep venous thrombosis (DVT) received standard anticoagulation for 5–7 months and were then assessed for PTS. The time in the therapeutic range was calculated from the international normalized ratio (INR) data. An INR below 2, more than 20% of the time, was considered as subtherapeutic anticoagulation. Results: Of the 349 patients enrolled, 97 (28%) developed PTS. The overall frequency of PTS in patients with subtherapeutic anticoagulation was 33.5%, compared with 21.6% in those with an INR below two for ≤ 20% of the time (P = 0.01). During the first 3 months of therapy, the odds ratio (OR) for developing PTS if a patient had subtherapeutic anticoagulation was 1.78 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–2.87). After adjusting for confounding variables, the OR was 1.84 (95% CI 1.13–3.01). Corresponding ORs for the full period of anticoagulation were 1.83 (95% CI 1.14–3.00) [crude] and 1.88 (95% CI 1.15–3.07) [adjusted]. Conclusion: Subtherapeutic warfarin anticoagulation after a first unprovoked DVT was significantly associated with the development of PTS.     

Bell’s palsy after inactivated COVID-19 vaccination in a patient with history of recurrent Bell’s palsy: A case report

BACKGROUNDWith rapid and extensive administration of inactivated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine to the general population in China, it is crucial for clinicians to recognize neurological complications or other side effects associated with COVID-19 vaccination.CASE SUMMARYHere we report the first case of Bell’s palsy after the first dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine in China. The patient was a 36-year-old woman with a past history of Bell’s palsy. Two days after receiving the first dose of the Sinovac Life Sciences inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, the patient developed right-side Bell’s palsy and binoculus keratoconjunctivitis. Prednisone, artificial tears and fluorometholone eye drops were applied. The patient’s symptoms began to improve by day 7 and resolved by day 54.CONCLUSIONAs mRNA COVID-19 vaccine trials reported cases of Bell’s palsy as adverse events, we should pay attention to the occurrence of Bell’s palsy after inactivated COVID-19 vaccination. A history of Bell’s palsy, rapid increase of immunoglobulin M and immunoglobin G-specific antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may be risk factors for Bell‘s palsy after COVID-19 vaccination.