Catheter interventional therapy in an elderly patient with deep vein thrombosis and a brain tumor

A 92-year-old woman with a brain tumor developed swelling of the left lower extremity. Venography showed considerable thrombi from the left common iliac vein to the femoral vein. Following implantation of a temporary inferior vena cava filter, catheter aspiration therapy and catheter-directed thrombolysis were performed. Venography after 3 days showed disappearance of the thrombi and an improvement in vein flow. A permanent inferior vena cava filter was implanted. Local intensive thrombectomy and thrombolysis by catheter together with a temporary inferior vena cava filter were effective treatments in this elderly patient with deep vein thrombosis.     

Initial and long term outcomes of stent implantation for iliac compression syndrome

OBJECTIVES: The initial and long term outcome of stenting in the iliac vein were investigated in patients with iliac compression syndrome. METHODS: Iliac compression syndrome was diagnosed with venography and intravascular ultrasonography that demonstrated severe stenosis at the iliac venous compression site. Fourteen patients with symptomatic iliac compression syndrome were treated with stent implantation. The patency of the stents was examined at short and long term follow-up examinations. RESULTS: Thirteen patients presented with left iliac venous compression and only one patient presented with right iliac venous compression. Twelve of the 14 patients had acute deep venous thrombosis, so temporary vena cava filter implantation was performed during the procedure in these 12 patients. Procedural success was defined as less than 50% stenosis after stent implantation with good flow and without major complication (death, surgical repair for vein, or symptomatic pulmonary embolization). Procedural success was achieved in 13 of 14 patients, and these 13 patients showed improvement of symptoms. In the unsuccessful case, the compression site was resolved by stenting, but good flow was not obtained due to remaining femoral vein occlusion. The self-expandable stent was used for 6 patients, and the balloon-expandable stent was used for 8 patients. Angiographic or ultrasonographic follow up was performed in 10 patients at mean follow up of 8 months, but no restenosis was documented. CONCLUSIONS: Stent implantation for symptomatic iliac compression syndrome is a safe and effective procedure to resolve venous disease symptoms. Despite the small number of patients, long term outcome has been excellent in this study.     

Epidural hematoma mimicking transverse myelitis in a patient with primary antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease, and its most critical pathologic process is thrombosis, which may explain most of the clinical features. Acute management of thrombosis involves immediate anticoagulation. Acute proximal venous thrombosis can be managed with thrombolytic therapy to reduce the long-term complications of the postthrombotic syndrome (pain, swelling, skin discoloration, or ulceration) and perform recanalization of occluded vessels. However, thrombolytic therapies are associated with high risks of bleeding. To our knowledge, this is the first report of epidural hematoma mimicking transverse myelitis after catheter-directed thrombolysis in a patient with primary APS. A 42-year-old male was admitted with sudden onset pain and swelling on left lower extremity. Venography demonstrated multiple thrombi on superficial femoral vein, common femoral vein, common iliac vein, and external iliac vein. Laboratory tests indicated the presence of IgM anticardiolipin antibody. He was diagnosed with primary APS with multiple venous thrombi. He was treated with urokinase (200,000/h) as thrombolytic therapy. After 1 day, he complained both leg weakness and urinary dysfunction. T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images of spine showed about 8 cm-sized mass, suggesting hematoma on the posterior epidural space at thoracolumbar area. Despite the successful evacuation of hematoma, neurologic symptoms persisted and he is now receiving aspirin, warfarin, and physical therapy.     

Predictive value of compression ultrasonography for deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic outpatients: clinical implications of the site of vein noncompressibility

BACKGROUND: Compression ultrasonography has a high negative predictive value for deep vein thrombosis in symptomatic outpatients. Limited data are available on factors influencing positive predictive value. The objective of this study was to evaluate the positive predictive value of compression ultrasonography according to the anatomic site of vein noncompressibility. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study of 756 consecutive outpatients with suspected first-episode deep vein thrombosis. Compression ultrasonography was performed at the initial visit: results were abnormal if a noncompressible segment was identified or normal if all segments were fully compressible. Venography was performed in patients with abnormal compression ultrasonography results. Positive predictive value was determined according to the site of noncompressibility: common femoral vein only, popliteal vein only, or both sites. Venography was the reference standard for the presence of deep vein thrombosis. RESULTS: Positive predictive value was 16.7% (95% confidence interval, 0.4%-64.1%) for noncompressibility isolated to the common femoral vein compared with 91.3% (95% confidence interval, 72.0%-98.9%) for the popliteal vein only and 94.4% (95% confidence interval, 72.7%-99.9%) for both sites (P<.001). Of 15 patients with isolated noncompressibility of the common femoral vein, 8 (53%) had pelvic neoplasm or abscess compared with 2 (5%) of 42 with noncompressibility of the popliteal vein only and 6 (13%) of 47 with noncompressibility of both sites (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The positive predictive value of noncompressibility isolated to the common femoral vein is too low to be used alone as the diagnostic end point for giving anticoagulant therapy. Noncompressibility isolated to the common femoral vein is a diagnostic marker for pelvic disease.     

Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism associated with a huge uterine myoma--a case report

A 51-year-old woman with a large uterine myoma suffered from acute pulmonary thromboembolism. Venography revealed thrombosis in the right common iliac vein and almost complete obstruction of the left common iliac vein. The ascending lumbar vein showed collateral drainage. Treatment was initiated with continuous intravenous heparin sodium, and a Greenfield filter was inserted to prevent the extension of the pulmonary embolism during and after hysterectomy. After a total hysterectomy, venography revealed restoration of patency in the bilateral common iliac veins, and no flow was seen in the ascending lumbar vein. Thorough clinical examinations failed to identify any other prothrombotic conditions. These results suggest that a large uterine myoma compressed veins in the pelvis, and the resulting impaired blood flow caused deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism.     

老年患者左髂静脉受压综合征的腔内治疗

目的探讨老年患者左髂静脉受压综合征的腔内治疗效果。方法50例左髂静脉受压综合征患者均采用腔内治疗,经股静脉人路行左髂静脉病变段球囊扩张加支架植入术。合并血栓形成者,先行下腔静脉滤器植入和左下肢深静脉插管溶栓术,二期处理左髂静脉病变;合并静脉曲张者,二期手术治疗。结果球囊扩张成功39例,支架置入30例,本组无死亡和肺栓塞发生。出院时肢体肿胀明显减轻;血栓完全溶解15例,部分溶解2例,血栓后遗症表现4例;静脉曲张者曲张静脉症状减轻;7例溃疡愈合。41例随访患者中,2例支架内血栓形成,1例支架狭窄移位。结论血管腔内治疗左髂静脉受压综合征对老年患者创伤小,恢复快,并发症少,近期效果良好,远期疗效尚需进一步观察。     

Percutaneous endoluminal anatomical bypass for patients with external iliac artery occlusion after failed conventional endovascular recanalization

Endovascular therapy, an established first‐line treatment for isolated iliac artery (IA) occlusion (IAO), may be of limited use in challenging lesions. We describe a novel percutaneous endoluminal anatomical bypass (PEApass) technique for uncrossable external IA (EIA) occlusion. A 70‐year‐old man on hemodialysis with a history of colostomy presented with chronic limb‐threatening ischemia due to a left EIA with below‐the‐knee occlusions. During a previous colostomy, the left EIA was accidentally ligated. Conventional endovascular recanalization for the ligated EIA failed, and a femoral‐femoral bypass and below‐knee angioplasty were performed as alternative therapy. Two weeks later, surgical site infection developed at both anastomosis sites. PEApass was performed prior to removing the infected graft. An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in the distal location was created using a re‐entry device, and its proximal location was created using a 0.014‐in. penetration guidewire, which was snared on the inside of the iliac vein (IV) using a retrograde snare. The proximal and distal sections of the IA were connected using an 8.0‐mm × 100‐mm stent graft implanted through the IV. A final angiogram indicated that flow to the occluded IA was completely restored without complications. Following the PEApass, the infected graft was removed. Complete wound healing was achieved within approximately 1 month. This innovative PEApass procedure is feasible and could be an alternative procedure for patients with uncrossable IAO.     

A case of antiphospholipid syndrome associated with left subclavian artery thrombosis and left external iliac vein thrombosis]

Arterial thrombosis is one of the major symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, thrombosis in a primary branch of the aorta has rarely been reported in APS. We report here a case of APS complicated by thromboses in both the left subclavian artery and the left external iliac vein. A 32-year-old woman was admitted in May, 1990 complaining of no pulse in the left superficial arteries (e.g., left radial artery) for the past 5 years and acute swelling of the left lower extremity. A left ascending phlebography showed an occlusion of the external iliac vein and arteriography revealed obstruction in the left subclavian artery. Collateral circulations were developed at the site of each thrombus. Clotting and immunological studies revealed a prolonged APTT, a high titer of anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant positive. We ruled out various diseases and clinical risk factors predisposing to both arterial and venous thromboses. Accordingly, we concluded that both thromboses were based on APS. Following treatment with anticoagulants, aspirin and corticosteroid, the swelling of her left thigh was diminished and the antibody titer was decreased within 3 months.     

Acute occlusion of the left iliac artery after long-distance-running

We report a case of spontaneous iliac occlusion in a 44-year-old male patient after long-distance running. Atherogenic risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and smoking were missing. Spontaneous iliac occlusion is extremely rare and only a few cases have been documented. Angiography showed occlusion of the left iliac artery with collateral flow via the obturator artery to the common femoral artery. Thrombectomy was performed but reocclusion occurred. An iliacofemoral bypass, arterial lysis and bypass thrombectomy was necessary within a few months. At the last follow-up visit two years afterwards the patient was symptom-free. This case indicates that exercise-dependent blood flow disturbances in long-distance-runners could produce changes of the intima.     

Diabetic neuropathic bladder associated with clinical features of iliofemoral venous thrombosis

A 60-year-old female diabetic patient with autonomic neuropathy gradually developed a warm swollen left leg over a period of 12 days. She was found to have chronic retention of urine due to a neuropathic bladder. Venography did not reveal thrombus but showed compression of the ipsilateral external iliac vein by the bladder. No other cause for her warm swollen leg was found. Following the introduction of a bladder catheter, her leg gradually returned to normal.     

Four years followup of complicated Cockett syndrome treated by iliac vein endoprosthesis

The purpose of this study was to check the long-term patency of the left common iliac vein endoprosthesis in Cockett syndrome and to confirm this appropriate etiological treatment in complicated cases. Three patients had respectively a pulmonary embolism, left common iliac vein occlusion with protein S deficiency, and venous claudication (Paget-von Schroetter syndrome) as complications of the Cockett syndrome. Treatment with endoprosthesis was performed. A mean follow-up of 48.6 months (31-61 months) revealed a clinical improvement without any recurrence of complications. The patency of the left common iliac vein flow was maintained. Indications on this treatment are being discussed.     

Impact of a bidirectional approach via radial and popliteal arteries for the treatment of chronic total occlusion of lower limb artery: A case report

A 49-year-old man with poorly controlled diabetes was admitted to Kushiro Rosai Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan after scalding both feet with boiling water. Because of poor healing, he was assessed for peripheral arterial disease. Angiography revealed total occlusion of the right common and external iliac arteries, diffuse stenosis of the right superficial femoral artery, focal stenosis of the left common iliac artery and chronic total occlusion of the left superficial femoral artery. A staged procedure with bidirectional approach via the radial and popliteal arteries was attempted. During the procedures, the patient was in the prone position on the catheterization table, and bidirectional guidewire manipulation was performed. All of the lesions were successfully stented. The patient was not required to change positions during the procedure, which can be performed by a single operator. The bidirectional approach is effective in the setting of transcatheter treatment of chronic total occlusive disease.     

Hyperhomocysteinemia, aortic thrombus, and peripheral arterial emboli--a case report.

A young Native American woman presented with ischemia of the left lower limb resulting from embolic occlusion of the left common iliac artery and left femoral artery. The source of her emboli was aortic thrombus. The only underlying abnormality responsible for her hypercoagulability appeared to be hyperhomocysteinemia.     

A case of Behçet's disease with occlusion of both caval veins and “downhill” esophageal varices

A case of Behçet's disease (BD) with occlusion of both caval veins and “downhill” esophageal varices is reported. A 59-year-old male patient had esophageal varices, established as the “downhill” type by endoscopy, venography, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) scan. Venography via both jugular veins did not lead to the visualization of the superior vena cava (SVC), but revealed numerous collateral veins, which formed esophageal varices en route. Venography via both femoral veins did not lead to the visualization of the inferior vena cava (IVC), but revealed numerous collateral veins, which flowed into the portal vein together with the jugular flow. CE-CT scan revealed the disappearance of the SVC and the lower part of the IVC, below the hepatic vein. The patient was diagnosed as having BD, based on his history of recurrent oral and skin lesions over the past 26 years.     

Multifarious complications after vascular reconstructive surgery. Diagnostic and therapeutic errors

This report is concerned with a short review of 3 reported cases in which rare successive complications occurred in various lapses of time after vascular reconstructive operations. In one, 38 year old man, in a 12 year period after primary endarterectomy of aortic bifurcation and common iliac arteries the following complications occurred consecutively: an aneurysmal formation in the iliac artery with urethero-aneurysmal fistula and severe bleeding from the urinary tract, entero-prosthetic fistula with severe gastro-intestinal bleeding, occlusion of the left iliac artery with severe left leg ischaemia. They were surgically corrected each time with a satisfactory result. In another, a 25 year old man, a traumatic lesion of the iliac artery with false aneurysmal formation took place. After an emergency excision of the aneurysm with graft replacement, early bleeding occurred from the operative wound. It was treated conservatively, which resulted in infection of the graft and crawling sepsis which lasted 6 months. Urethero-prosthetic fistula and occlusion of the femoral artery occurred. It was corrected surgically with a satisfactory result. The last case concerned a 53 year old man with atherosclerotic occlusion of the abdominal aorta, external iliac and femoral arteries. An aorto-bilateral femoral bypass graft was instituted in him. In 10 days, complete gangrene of the sigmoid colon with perforation occurred. Sigmoidectomy with colostomy were performed. After that, further complications developed: (1) massive venous thrombosis of the left leg and (2) progressive left buttock necrosis. The last complication resulted in septicemia and death of this patient after 3 months of treatment.     

冠状静脉形态与左侧旁路关系的研究

目的 :观察冠状静脉形态与左侧旁路的关系。　　方法 :6 7例左侧游离壁旁路和后间隔旁路的患者在旁路成功射频导管消融后行冠状静脉窦逆行显影 ,测量射频导管消融靶点距冠状静脉分支开口的距离 ,小于 5 mm认为二者相关。　　结果 :全部 6 7例成功的进行了冠状静脉造影 ,5 7例 (85 .1% )旁路位于冠状静脉分支开口处 ,4例位于冠状静脉狭窄或扩张处。　　结论 :左侧旁路与冠状静脉形态具有一定相关性     

The role of circumflex femoral veins in the saphenofemoral junction incompetence: a case report

A 31 year-old female patient, an opera singer, came for a consultation, mainly for aesthetic problems of the lower limbs. An asymptomatic bilateral P-point pelvic shunt was demonstrated by the EchoDoppler, while no nutcracker syndrome was detected. The examination demonstrated a medial circumflex femoral vein (MCFV), going into the common femoral vein and then into the great saphenous vein (GSV). The Valsalva manoeuvre showed the GSV terminal valve incompetence. A dilated MCFV vein at the level of the saphenofemoral junction was the source of the reflux through the GSV, while the external iliac vein was competent. GSV reflux with Valsalva was present only in the lying position. Flow in the MCFV was directed toward the CFV during and after the Valsalva. The examination shows clearly that a GSV reflux can sometimes occur in absence of iliac reflux. Circumflex femoral veins (medial and lateral) are anatomical variations, but common findings during ordinary EchoColourDoppler investigations of the venous system of the lower limbs.     

A 75-year-old man with renal insufficiency and eosinophilia after coronary angiography

Case presentation 　　A 75-year-old male patient received esophageal carcinoma surgery in Oct 2005. The next day of the operation, he had dyspnea, chest discomfort and sweating when he was on some activities. 　　……     

Endovascular treatment of an internal iliac artery aneurysm using a nitinol vascular occlusion plug.

PURPOSE: To report endovascular occlusion of an internal iliac artery (IIA) aneurysm with an Amplatz nitinol vascular occlusion plug. CASE REPORT: A 71-year-old asymptomatic man who had previously undergone open aortic aneurysm repair presented for annual follow-up. A bifurcated Dacron graft had been inserted 12 years ago from the infrarenal aorta to the left common femoral artery and the right common iliac artery. The left common iliac artery was ligated proximally, and the left external iliac artery (EIA) provided retrograde flow into the IIA. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 7.4-cm aneurysm of the left IIA. After transfemoral calibrated catheter angiography was performed, the proximal EIA was occluded with an Amplatz nitinol vascular occlusion plug. In addition, microcoils were placed distal to the vascular plug to achieve complete thrombosis of the vessel. One day after treatment, the patient was discharged free of symptoms after MRI had shown complete obliteration of the IIA aneurysm. At 6 months, the patient was free from symptoms, and angiography confirmed exclusion of the IIA aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates the technical feasibility and successful short-term follow-up of a novel embolization approach to IIA aneurysms in patients with an aortofemoral graft.     

Acute painless paraparesis due to bilateral femoral artery occlusion

Acute peripheral arterial occlusion is a medical emergency manifesting with pain, pallor, absence of pulse, paralysis, and paresthesia. Neurological deficits have occasionally been described as the presenting symptoms of acute arterial ischemia. We report a patient with acute bilateral occlusion of the femoral arteries and an underlying severe atherosclerotic aorto-iliac disease who presented with acute painless paraplegia and anesthesia in the lower extremities. The patient underwent arterial thrombectomy of the right and left femoral artery, followed by angioplasty and stent insertion of the right and left common iliac artery within 5 h from the onset of his symptoms. Subsequent physical therapy resulted in rapid improvement in the strength of his lower extremities and the patient was able to walk unaided after two weeks.