Local fibrinolysis in cerebral venous thrombosis

Dural sinus mechanical thrombectomy and continuous local rt-PA infusion in a child with refractory intracranial hypertension and progressive visual loss: A case report

Background

Children with intracranial hypertension are at risk for visual loss and their visual function must be closely monitored. Surgery with the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is imperative when vision is threatened.

Case Description

Herein, we report a case of a 5-year-old boy whose refractory intracranial hypertension and severe, progressive visual loss (secondary to a chronic, otogenic, right sigmoid sinus thrombosis, and a contralateral sinus tight stenosis) were resolved by a combination of continuous (6 h), locoregional, infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), and mechanical thrombectomy.

Conclusion

The association of in loco and continuous infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt- PA) with mechanical thrombectomy resulted in effective in partially reopening the occluded sinus and facilitating a good clinical recovery. This combined endovascular approach may represent an alternative, less invasive, therapeutic option to surgery in children with intracranial hypertension caused by chronic cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Short-term neurological outcomes in ischemic and hemorrhagic pediatric stroke

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess short-term neurological outcomes in pediatric stroke with regard to patient characteristics.

METHODS

Children aged 28 days-18 years with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT), and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) between 2007 and 2013 were evaluated. Neurological findings in the first 3 months were accepted as short-term prognosis, and modified Rankin scale was used.

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients (62%) with AIS, 12 (23%) with HS, and eight (15%) with CSVT were included. Moya moya syndrome was the most common new diagnosis in AIS. Stroke recurred in five (15%); and one AIS patient with posterior circulation infarct died (3%). Prognosis in AIS was favorable for 20 patients (61%) and poor for 13 patients (39%). Forty-two percent of HS were of vascular origin. Seven patients (70%) with HS had good prognosis and three (30%) had poor prognosis with no death. Homocysteine-related hypercoagulability was most frequently noted in the etiology of CSVT. Synchronous systemic thrombosis was observed in three CSVT patients (37.5%) and death occurred in two (25%). Prognosis was evaluated as favorable for three CSVT patients (37.5%) and poor for five (62.5%). For thrombophilia, thrombosis panel was performed fully in 83% of AIS and CSVT patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric stroke is associated with a poor prognosis in a substantial number of patients in the short term, with CSVT having the worst prognosis. Detailed patient characteristics are listed not only for ischemic but also for hemorrhagic stroke; and a full thrombosis panel was achieved for most ischemic stroke patients.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: Prognostic and Therapeutic Significance of an Early Radiologic Diagnosis

We describe the CT and MRI patterns of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) on the basis of the venous angioarchitecture and the underlying pathophysiological mechanism. We also investigated if any radiologic data exist to establish which patients can be followed conservatively and which warrant endovascular treatment.

The clinical, CT-CTA and MRI-MRA findings of 11 patients (2 men; 9 women; 24 to 69 years-old) with CVST were reviewed. The morphological patterns of CVST were divided into two major groups: Vascular signs: spontaneous sinusal hyperdensity (9); spontaneous all-sequences hyperintensity (4); venous engorgement (9); empty delta sign (4); lack of sinusal contrast-enhancement (3); delayed sinusal transit-time (11); lack of flow-related signal (3). Parenchymal signs: mass effect and cortical sulcal effacement (8), white matter edema (7), venous ischemia (6), haemorrhagic infarct (3), breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (4), hydrocephalus (2).

The clinical and radiologic pictures are related to cerebral venous angioarchitecture and underlying pathophysiologic mechanism of venous thrombosis. Reversibility of clinical symptoms and parenchymal lesions is far more frequent, because vessel damage slowly and progressively develops, whereas damage to brain tissue occurs later. Consequently, a prompt CT-MRI diagnosis may allow a good prognosis. Treatment using selective sinusal instillation of urokinase is considered only when the patient clinically and radiologically does not improve within the first two weeks after heparinization.

Sigmoid Sinus Thrombosis Associated with Internal Jugular Venous Occlusion: Direct Thrombolytic Treatment

Purpose:

To report our experience with transfemoral direct venous thrombolysis and angioplasty to treat central venous and dural sinus occlusion. The cases presented are rare examples of internal jugular occlusion associated with sigmoid sinus thrombosis.

Methods and Results:

Two middle-aged, symptomatic female patients were diagnosed with sigmoid sinus and internal jugular vein thrombosis. Venography was performed from a contralateral transfemoral approach, followed immediately by urokinase infusion directly to the occlusion using an intermittent “burst-bolus” technique. Successful thrombolysis of the sigmoid sinus and internal jugular vein was documented in both patients. In one case, a venous stenosis was treated with balloon angioplasty. Clinical signs and symptoms resolved in both patients.

Conclusions:

Occluded dural sinuses and central veins can be treated with direct administration of thrombolytic agents. When an underlying stenosis is identified, balloon dilation should be used to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Successful Endovascular Management of Massive Pansinus Thrombosis: Case Report and Review of Literature

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) is a recognized cause of childhood and neonatal stroke. More than 50% of neonates have a poor outcome, and mortality is high. Coma is a predictor of death in neonatal CSVT. We present the case of a 9-day-old infant, who presented in coma and was treated successfully with a combination of mechanical thrombectomy using the MindFrame System via the right jugular vein, local infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and abciximab, as well as anticoagulation. In this case, aggressive thrombectomy and thrombolysis achieved complete neurologic restoration safely and quickly.

Combined use of Solitaire FR and Penumbra devices for endovascular treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a child

A pre-teenager with newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis presented to an emergency department with acute headache, altered mental status and bilateral lower extremity weakness. Head CT demonstrated acute thrombus in the vein of Galen and straight sinus, and the patient was started on a heparin infusion. The patient clinically deteriorated and became unresponsive. In view of the rapid deterioration despite anticoagulation therapy, the patient was taken for endovascular treatment. A novel endovascular approach was performed with combined use of Solitaire FR and Penumbra devices to enhance access to the straight sinus and to limit intraprocedural blood loss. The post-treatment head CT demonstrated a decrease in hyperattenuation within the vein of Galen and straight sinus. The neurologic status improved within 24 h. The patient was discharged home with a normal neurologic examination.

Endovascular thrombolysis for pediatric cerebral sinus venous thrombosis with tissue plasminogen activator and abciximab

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) is a relatively rare but potentially devastating disease. Medical management of CSVT with systemic anticoagulation has been the mainstay treatment strategy with these patients. However, some patients may not respond to this treatment or may present with very severe symptoms indicating more aggressive management strategies. The authors present the case of a pediatric patient who presented with severe CSVT, who underwent successful recanalization with endovascular tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and abciximab. To the authors' knowledge there are no cases of endovascular thrombolysis for CSVT described in the literature in which abciximab has been used in conjunction with tPA. The authors also review the literature regarding the agents used and outcome in pediatric patients with CSVT after endovascular thrombolysis. The use of abciximab in conjunction with tPA may be considered in patients whose blood is hypercoagulable and in whom the treatment strategy is to obtain acute recanalization and long-term venous patency. However, the use of adjunctive agents increases the risk of hemorrhagic complications and must be done judiciously.

Endovascular treatment of children with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a case series

BACKGROUND

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a potentially serious condition affecting 0.56 to 0.67 per 100,000 children annually; adverse outcomes are common. The standard of care is anticoagulation with heparin. A proportion of patients, however, remain in a severe clinical condition and in these, endovascular therapy is an alternative treatment. There is little published literature on the use of endovascular treatments in children with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed case notes and imaging in a consecutive series of nine children treated using endovascular therapy after diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Clinical presentation, decision to escalate therapy, methods of recanalization, and clinical outcome were assessed.

RESULTS

Nine children were treated (age range 18 months to 16 years). Diagnosis was made by computed tomography, computed tomography venography, magnetic resonance imaging, or magnetic resonance venography. Seven children were in a coma; one had signs of raised intracranial pressure with progressive cranial nerve palsies; and one was drowsy with a fluctuating hemiparesis. Eight children had been treated with heparin without improvement. Several endovascular methods were used including local tissue plasminogen activator, microguidewire and catheter disruption, balloon angioplasty, and thromboaspiration using the Penumbra device. Eight children had good functional outcomes. One child died as a result of uncontrolled intracranial hypertension secondary to cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

Endovascular therapy may have a role in the treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in children when medical therapy has failed and the patient is in a poor clinical condition.

Antithrombotic therapy in neonates and children: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines

BACKGROUND

Neonates and children differ from adults in physiology, pharmacologic responses to drugs, epidemiology, and long-term consequences of thrombosis. This guideline addresses optimal strategies for the management of thrombosis in neonates and children.

METHODS

The methods of this guideline follow those described in the Methodology for the Development of Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis Guidelines: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines.

RESULTS

We suggest that where possible, pediatric hematologists with experience in thromboembolism manage pediatric patients with thromboembolism (Grade 2C). When this is not possible, we suggest a combination of a neonatologist/pediatrician and adult hematologist supported by consultation with an experienced pediatric hematologist (Grade 2C). We suggest that therapeutic unfractionated heparin in children is titrated to achieve a target anti-Xa range of 0.35 to 0.7 units/mL or an activated partial thromboplastin time range that correlates to this anti-Xa range or to a protamine titration range of 0.2 to 0.4 units/mL (Grade 2C). For neonates and children receiving either daily or bid therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin, we suggest that the drug be monitored to a target range of 0.5 to 1.0 units/mL in a sample taken 4 to 6 h after subcutaneous injection or, alternatively, 0.5 to 0.8 units/mL in a sample taken 2 to 6 h after subcutaneous injection (Grade 2C).

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence supporting most recommendations for antithrombotic therapy in neonates and children remains weak. Studies addressing appropriate drug target ranges and monitoring requirements are urgently required in addition to site- and clinical situation-specific thrombosis management strategies.

Prolonged direct catheter thrombolysis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in children: a case series

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare condition with potentially devastating neurologic outcome--death and severe disability are common in advanced cases. In adults, protocols for mechanical clot disruption and direct thrombolysis are established; no guidance exists for children. We present our experience of 6 children with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and ominous clinical progression. We found that effective thrombolysis required substantially longer infusion, more rounds of mechanical disruption, and higher doses of thrombolytics than are commonly practiced. Despite pervasive thrombosis, prethrombolysis hemorrhage, coma, and other predictors of death and disability, our patients survived and 4 of 6 had no functional deficits. One patient had moderate, and one had severe deficits. We report these cases to illustrate that hemorrhage may not be a contraindication to thrombolysis for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, that prolonged infusion may be required to restore perfusion, and that good neurologic outcomes can be achieved despite dire clinical presentations and extensive sinus thrombosis.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in the mediterranean area in children

Cerebral Venous Sinus (sinovenous) Thrombosis (CSVT) is a serious and rare disorder, increasingly recognized and diagnosed in pediatric patients. The etiology and pathophisiology has not yet been completely clarified, and unlike adults with CSVT, management in children and neonates remains controversial. However, morbidity and mortality are significant, highlighting the continued need for high-quality studies within this field. The following review will highlight aspects of CSVT in the mediteranian area in children.

Cerebral venous sinus (sinovenous) thrombosis in children

Cerebral venous sinus (sinovenous) thrombosis (CSVT) in childhood is a rare, but underrecognized, disorder, typically of multifactorial etiology, with neurologic sequelae apparent in up to 40% of survivors and mortality approaching 10%. There is an expanding spectrum of perinatal brain injury associated with neonatal CSVT. Although there is considerable overlap in risk factors for CSVT in neonates and older infants and children, specific differences exist between the groups. Clinical symptoms are frequently nonspecific, which may obscure the diagnosis and delay treatment. While morbidity and mortality are significant, CSVT recurs less commonly than arterial ischemic stroke in children. Appropriate management may reduce the risk of recurrence and improve outcome, however there are no randomized controlled trials to support the use of anticoagulation in children. Although commonly employed in many centers, this practice remains controversial, highlighting the continued need for high-quality studies. This article reviews the literature pertaining to pediatric venous sinus thrombosis.

Crossing the blood-brain barrier: clinical interactions between neurologists and hematologists in pediatrics - advances in childhood arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral venous thrombosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The past year has marked a period of growing awareness of the need for improved diagnosis and treatment in children with arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) and cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT). Here we review these conditions, highlighting the importance of the intersection between hematologic abnormalities and pediatric stroke as they impact clinical management.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent multicenter cohort studies are beginning to clarify the incidence, risk factors, clinical course and outcomes of AIS and CSVT in children. Key findings include: diagnosis rests on adequate neuroimaging and is often delayed more than 24 h after symptom onset; multiple risk factors and inciting events are often involved; one or more prothrombotic risk factors are common; recurrence is common; and selected groups of patients benefit from anticoagulation, and less frequently, thrombolytic therapies.

SUMMARY

Progress in caring for children with AIS and CSVT requires greatly improved awareness of cerebrovascular disease among primary providers, who are most often the first point of contact, more rapid and specific diagnosis using appropriate advanced neuroimaging technologies, comprehensive hematologic evaluation for inherited and acquired thrombophilias, and multidisciplinary approaches to treatment. Additional large cohort studies and clinical trials are greatly needed to further clarify these issues.

Direct thrombolysis for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an increasingly diagnosed disease with a wide range of symptoms, ranging from a mild headache to cerebral herniation. A potentially devastating syndrome, CVST has been associated with a mortality rate of 6-10%. In prospective studies, the overall rate of death and dependency from CVST ranges from 8.8 to 44.4%. Systemic anticoagulation remains the first-line treatment. However, a percentage of patients deteriorate despite medical therapy. These cases have resulted in the development of thrombolysis or endovascular treatment for CVST. Initial reports of the use of endovascular treatment of CVST have been promising. However, enthusiasm for the use of endovascular thrombolysis and thrombectomy should be tempered by an understanding of possible risks such as intracerebral hemorrhage and/or vessel dissection. The authors review the literature regarding endovascular treatment of CVST with a description of the chemical and mechanical thrombolytic techniques.

Antithrombotic therapy in neonates and children: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition)

This chapter about antithrombotic therapy in neonates and children is part of the Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Grade 1 recommendations are strong and indicate that the benefits do, or do not, outweigh risks, burden, and costs, and Grade 2 suggests that individual patient values may lead to different choices (for a full understanding of the grading, see Guyatt et al in this supplement, pages 123S-131S). In this chapter, many recommendations are based on extrapolation of adult data, and the reader is referred to the appropriate chapters relating to guidelines for adult populations. Within this chapter, the majority of recommendations are separate for neonates and children, reflecting the significant differences in epidemiology of thrombosis and safety and efficacy of therapy in these two populations. Among the key recommendations in this chapter are the following: In children with first episode of venous thromboembolism (VTE), we recommend anticoagulant therapy with either unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) [Grade 1B]. Dosing of IV UFH should prolong the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) to a range that corresponds to an anti-factor Xa assay (anti-FXa) level of 0.35 to 0.7 U/mL, whereas LMWH should achieve an anti-FXa level of 0.5 to 1.0 U/mL 4 h after an injection for twice-daily dosing. In neonates with first VTE, we suggest either anticoagulation or supportive care with radiologic monitoring and subsequent anticoagulation if extension of the thrombosis occurs during supportive care (Grade 2C). We recommend against the use of routine systemic thromboprophylaxis for children with central venous lines (Grade 1B). For children with cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) without significant intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), we recommend anticoagulation initially with UFH, or LMWH and subsequently with LMWH or vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) for a minimum of 3 months (Grade 1B). For children with non-sickle-cell disease-related acute arterial ischemic stroke (AIS), we recommend UFH or LMWH or aspirin (1 to 5 mg/kg/d) as initial therapy until dissection and embolic causes have been excluded (Grade 1B). For neonates with a first AIS, in the absence of a documented ongoing cardioembolic source, we recommend against anticoagulation or aspirin therapy (Grade 1B).

Internal jugular vein thrombosis associated with acute mastoiditis in a pediatric age

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the clinical aspects and management of internal jugular vein thrombosis associated with acute otitis media.

STUDY DESIGN

Case reports and review of the literature.

SETTING

University hospital, tertiary referral center.

PATIENT

The authors describe two cases of internal jugular vein thrombosis, without sigmoid sinus thrombosis, secondary to acute otomastoiditis.

INTERVENTION

Jugular vein thrombosis was diagnosed in both cases by observation of filling defects of the involved jugular bulb on contrast-enhanced computed tomography and confirmed by conventional magnetic resonance and magnetic resonance venography.

RESULTS

Both patients recovered after recanalization of the vessel concomitant to anticoagulation and antibiotic treatment associated with a simple mastoidectomy.

CONCLUSION

Internal jugular vein thrombosis may be a complication of acute otitis media, without involvement of the sigmoid sinus and with a starting point in the jugular bulb. Anticoagulation associated with antibiotic therapy can be considered a safe and effective treatment. Surgery should only be performed to eliminate the source of infection from the middle ear and mastoid.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in children: a multicenter cohort from the United States

This study presents a large multicenter cohort of children with cerebral venous thrombosis from 5 centers in the United States and analyzes their clinical findings and risk factors. Seventy patients were included in the study (25 neonates, 35%). The age ranged from 6 days to 12 years. Thirty-eight (55%) were younger than 6 months of age, and 28 (40%) were male. Presenting features included seizures (59%), coma (30%), headache (18%), and motor weakness (21%). Common neurological findings included decreased level of consciousness (50%), papilledema (18%), cranial nerve palsy (33%), hemiparesis (29%), and hypotonia (22%). Predisposing factors were identified in 63 (90%) patients. These included infection (40%), perinatal complications (25%), hypercoagulable/hematological diseases (13%), and various other conditions (10%). Hemorrhagic infarcts occurred in 40% of the patients and hydrocephalus in 10%. Transverse sinus thrombosis was more common (73%) than sagittal sinus thrombosis (35%). Three children underwent thrombolysis, 15 patients received anticoagulation, and 49 (70%) were treated with antibiotics and hydration. Nine (13%) patients (6 of them neonates) died. Twenty-nine patients (41%) were normal, whereas 32 patients (46%) had a neurological deficit at discharge. Seizures and coma at presentation were poor prognostic indicators. In conclusion, cerebral venous thrombosis predominantly affects children younger than age 6 months. Mortality is high (25%) in neonatal cerebral venous thrombosis. Only 18 (25%) patients were treated with anticoagulation or thrombolysis.

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in children

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare but increasingly recognized disease process in children. In the pediatric population, the etiologies of CSVT are multiple and the outcomes are variable. The current therapies for CSVT include anticoagulation, thrombolysis, hydration, surgery, and supportive care. Adult studies, pediatric case studies, and expert opinion form the basis for these treatment strategies. International cooperative efforts are currently being undertaken to collect data on pediatric stroke patients, including CSVT. These multicenter collaborations are needed to increase our understanding of the incidence, risk factors, treatment modalities, and outcomes of CSVT in pediatric populations.

Therapeutic approaches and advances in pediatric stroke

Evidence-based therapeutic interventions for pediatric ischemic cerebrovascular disease are beginning to emerge. The primary therapeutic target is usually the pathological prothrombotic disturbance that underlies the majority of pediatric stroke. A battle between anticoagulation and anti-platelet therapies continues to provide controversy and is the inspiration for upcoming randomized trials. Supportive care and neuroprotective strategies are an important consideration in children with stroke. Attempts to determine the safety of acute thrombolytic interventions are also underway. Finally, unique medical and surgical treatments for specific diseases leading to stroke in children continue to evolve. After briefly summarizing the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and outcomes of ischemic strokes in children, treatment approaches and alternatives will be reviewed in detail with emphasis placed on current areas of controversy and future directions for clinical research.

Combined venous sinus angioplasty and low-dose thrombolytic therapy for treatment of hemorrhagic transverse sinus thrombosis in a pediatric patient

We describe the successful treatment of a 5-year-old girl with rapidly evolving left hemispheric hemorrhagic infarcts resulting from left transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis using combined endovascular dural sinus angioplasty and local low-dose thrombolytic therapy.

A transcranial approach for direct mechanical thrombectomy of dural sinus thrombosis

✓ Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is often difficult to manage. Treatment options include systemically delivered anticoagulation therapy or chemical thrombolysis. Targeted endovascular delivery of thrombolytic agents is currently a popular option, but it carries an increased risk of hemorrhage. These strategies require significant time to produce thrombolysis, often in a patient with a rapidly deteriorating neurological condition. Rapid mechanical recanalization with thrombectomy is therefore very attractive; this procedure provides rapid recanalization with no increased risk of hemorrhage from use of thrombolytic agents. Nevertheless, the rheolytic catheter is large and stiff and may not be able to navigate tortuous intracranial vascular anatomy. The authors present their experience with direct dural sinus mechanical thrombectomy performed using the rheolytic catheter via a transcranial route.

Two patients with dural sinus thrombosis and rapidly deteriorating levels of consciousness underwent unsuccessful attempts at mechanical thrombolysis via the usual transfemoral route. Through a burr hole over the dural sinus, mechanical thrombectomy was subsequently performed using the thrombectomy catheter. Sinus patency was restored following treatment and both patients demonstrated neurological recovery.

Hemorrhage or a rapidly deteriorating neurological condition may preclude the use of systemic or locally delivered thrombolytic agents for the treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Mechanical thrombectomy may be the treatment of choice in these circumstances. In patients with limited transfemoral access, a transcranial approach may be used to access the cerebral dural sinuses and thrombectomy may be safely and effectively performed. Further evaluation of this therapy is warranted.

Cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in children: another reason to treat iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is a rare cause of cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in children. We report three cases of cerebral sinovenous thrombosis and iron deficiency anemia treated at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, between 1998 and 2001. The children were 9, 19, and 27 months old at the time of admission. Hemoglobin levels ranged from 6.6 to 7.0 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume levels from 45 to 56 fL, and platelet counts from 248,000 to 586,000/microL. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography revealed thrombosis of the straight sinus and internal cerebral veins in all three children, with the addition of the vein of Galen, left transverse and sigmoid sinuses, and upper left internal jugular vein in one child. Recovery ranged from excellent to poor in 3 months to 3 years of follow-up. Four additional cases, ages 6 to 22 months, were found in the English-language literature. Evaluation for prothrombotic disorders was negative in all children, including the current cases. Treatments have included thrombectomy, corticosteroids, mannitol, heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, warfarin, aspirin, blood transfusion, and iron supplementation, but there is no consensus regarding therapy, other than to correct the anemia and treat iron deficiency. Iron deficiency anemia, a preventable cause of cerebral sinovenous thrombosis, deserves consideration when cerebral sinovenous thrombosis is detected in young children.

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis in children

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (cerebral SVT) is rare in children. Information on clinical characteristics, radiological findings and outcome is emerging.

METHODS

Cases of cerebral SVT diagnosed between 1995 and 2001 were identified by a computer-assisted search using International Classification of Disease codes. Medical records were reviewed to collect information on clinical presentation, investigations, treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

Sixteen cases of cerebral SVT were identified. All cases presented in association with head and neck pathology. The majority of cases presented with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure and focal neurological signs. Magnetic resonance imaging identified all cases of cerebral SVT whilst CT scanning failed to demonstrate the diagnosis in two cases. Management with anticoagulation was associated with radiological resolution of the thrombosis and normal neurological outcome. Long-term follow up demonstrated neurological deficits in greater than 40% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Cerebral SVT in children is associated with significant residual neurological morbidity. Prospective studies to identify predictors of outcome and effective management interventions are required.

Thrombolytics for cerebral sinus thrombosis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The use of thrombolytics is frequently mentioned in patients with cerebral venous or dural sinus thrombosis (CVDST) who deteriorate despite anticoagulant therapy. The aim of this review was to collect all the published information about their use in CVDST and to assess their efficacy and safety.

METHODS

To find cases of CVDST treated with thrombolytics, we performed a MEDLINE search from 1966 to July 2001, checked all reference lists of studies found and hand searched volumes of 11 journals. Data was extracted by means of a standardised data extraction form. Proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for outcomes and complications of thrombolytics. Cases were stratified according to variables that may influence the outcome and subgroups were compared by odds ratios and 95% CI.

RESULTS

No randomised clinical trial (RCT) was found. Seventy-two studies (169 patients) were included. Urokinase was the thrombolytic most frequently administered (76%). In the majority of cases the thrombolytic was locally infused in the occluded sinus (88%). At discharge, 10 cases (7%; 95% CI 3-12%) were dependent and 9 cases (5%; 95% CI 2-9%) died. Intracranial haemorrhages occurred in 17% of cases. In 5% they were associated with clinical deterioration. Extracranial haemorrhages occurred in 21%, but only 2% required blood transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombolytics appeared to be reasonably safe in CVDST, but its efficacy cannot be assessed from the published data. Considering that CVDST is an uncommon disease, a randomised controlled trial to assess effectiveness and safety of local thrombolytics in cases of CVDST with poor prognosis is difficult but not impossible to undertake, on a multicentre international collaboration trial.

Heparin treatment in cerebral sinus and venous thrombosis: patients at risk of fatal outcome

We performed a retrospective analysis of 79 patients with cerebral sinus venous thrombosis, who were treated with a fixed regimen of dose-adjusted intravenous heparin, to determine predictors of a fatal course. The parameters investigated were the state of consciousness and the presence of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) at the start of heparin treatment, involvement of the internal venous system, mean delay from initial symptom to stupor or coma and from initial symptom to hospital admission, focal neurological deficits, mean intracranial circulation time (ICT) on conventional angiography, and age and sex distribution. Mortality rate was 10% in this series (8/79). There was a strong link between the outcome and the level of vigilance: 53% of the patients with stupor or coma at the start of the heparin therapy died (8/15), whereas all of the 64 patients with no more than mildly impaired vigilance survived (p < 0.00001). Furthermore, mean age and mean ICT were significantly higher in the group of patients who died. There was a statistical trend (p = 0.056) for ICH to be more frequent in cases with fatal outcome, but there was reason to assume that ICH represented an epiphenomenon of a severe course rather than an independent predictor. Other investigated parameters were not linked with a fatal outcome.

Sinovenous thrombosis in children

Sinus thrombosis in children is increasingly recognized; however, the diagnosis is still frequently missed. Children may have an increased incidence of this disorder compared with adults, and neonates are at greatly increased risk compared with older children. Childhood CSVT carries significant long-term sequelae that include death or neurologic deficits in nearly 50% of cases. Neonates are not spared from these sequelae. At present, the approach to treatment is empiric but in the past decade treatment with anti-coagulants is supported by the unacceptable rates of adverse outcomes, the pathophysiology of CSVT, and the data supporting the efficacy and safety of anti-coagulation for adult CSVT. Among the most significant current and future developments in childhood CSVT is the evolution of accurate, noninvasive and economical neuroimaging techniques. The latter techniques have the potential to increase the detection rate of childhood CSVT, improve our understanding of the pathophysiology and define important subgroups of patients who best respond to treatment. An international interest in childhood CSVT is developing and, in the next decade, will enable the necessary multi-national clinical trials to provide evidence-based treatments and decrease the adverse outcomes.

Arterial strokes in children

Pediatric stroke has received special attention in the recent literature. It is now recognized as an important cause of mortality and morbidity in pediatric population. Varied and poorly specific symptomatology as well as overlapping risk factors makes the diagnosis of stroke in childhood challenging. Therapy remains controversial. The use of anticoagulation and thrombolysis in the management of acute stroke in children has not been systematically studied. In this article, we discuss the natural history, investigation, and treatment of pediatric arterial hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.

Cerebral venous thrombosis and venous malformations in children

Venous strokes are not as common as arterial strokes in the pediatric population, but may be associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Cerebral vein thrombosis and venous sinus thrombosis are responsible for most venous strokes. Vein of Galen malformation is a rare but important cause of mortality in neonates and infants. Awareness of these potential causes of stroke in the pediatric population, early diagnosis, and appropriate therapeutic strategies are paramount to reduce mortality and improve neurologic outcome.

More reliable noninvasive visualization of the cerebral veins and dural sinuses: comparison of three MR angiographic techniques

PURPOSE

To compare the visualization of cerebral veins and dural sinuses at contrast material-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) fast low-angle shot (FLASH) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography, and phase-contrast MR angiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The authors prospectively compared the two-dimensional source images, multiplanar reconstructed images, and maximum intensity projection angiograms obtained at contrast-enhanced 3D radio-frequency-spoiled FLASH MR angiography in 20 patients with those obtained at TOF and phase-contrast MR angiographic examinations. Two neuroradiologists in consensus determined the number of visualized cortical veins and graded the quality of visualization of veins and sinuses as intense and continuous, faint and continuous, or noncontinuous. Statistical analysis was performed with the nonparametric sign test and the Wilcoxon matched pairs sign rank test.

RESULTS

The cortical veins, inferior sagittal sinus, and cavernous sinuses were visualized best with FLASH MR angiography (P <.003). The Trolard and Labbé veins were visualized equally well with the FLASH and TOF sequences. For septal, internal cerebral, and Rosenthal left basal vein visualization, phase-contrast MR angiography was inferior to the FLASH and TOF MR angiographic examinations (P <.05). The quality of visualization of the thalamostriate and Galen veins and of the superior sagittal, rectal, and transverse sinuses was the same at all MR angiographic examinations.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional FLASH MR angiography depicts some venous structures better than do TOF and phase-contrast MR angiographic examinations. The depiction of other veins is the same with 3D FLASH and TOF sequences.

Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis

Cranial sinovenous disorders comprise a disparate group of illnesses affecting one or more intracranial venous sinuses and cerebral veins, alone or in combination, due to a variety of causes. As medical knowledge advances, fewer and fewer patients have an "idiopathic" diagnosis, with causes clarified in an ever-increasing number of patients. These not only include the long-known puerperal, marantic, infective, and traumatic causes, but in recent years, also a variety of congenital and acquired coagulation disorders, such as protein S, protein C, and antithrombin III deficiency. Certain sinuses are preferentially involved with certain causative entities; for example, cavernous and lateral sinuses are more frequently occluded in relation to infectious processes, either directly or as a parameningeal focus, whereas the superior sagittal sinus is most often occluded by trauma, tumor, or coagulopathy. The optimal treatment of sinovenous occlusion depends on establishing the cause with alacrity, because delays in diagnosis may lead to life-threatening hyperpyrexia, elevations in intracranial pressure, venous infarctions, seizures, coma, and death. However, because up to a third of patients with nonseptic occlusions may survive untreated, with few residua, controversy persists regarding optimal management. There has been a dearth of randomized, prospective treatment trials in this group of disorders. The little data that exist suggest that rapid control of infection, seizure prophylaxis, and anticoagulation must be achieved early so as to prevent progression of thrombosis and intracranial venous hypertension. In recent years, direct retrograde venous thrombolysis has become increasingly available, and has produced such remarkable results that it is likely soon to become the primary treatment of choice for the nontraumatic or nontumoral occlusions.

Nonrandomized comparison of local urokinase thrombolysis versus systemic heparin anticoagulation for superior sagittal sinus thrombosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We sought to compare the safety and efficacy of direct urokinase thrombolysis with systemic heparin anticoagulation for superior sagittal sinus thrombosis (SSST).

METHODS

At University at Buffalo (NY) and University of Texas (Dallas, Houston), we reviewed 40 consecutive patients with SSST, treated with local urokinase (thrombolysis group) or systemic heparin anticoagulation (heparin group). The thrombolysis group (n=20) received local urokinase into the SSS followed by systemic heparin anticoagulation. The heparin group (n=20) received systemic heparin anticoagulation only. Neurological dysfunction was rated as follows: 0, normal; 1, mild (but able to ambulate and communicate); 2, moderate (unable to ambulate, normal mentation); and 3, severe (unable to ambulate, altered mentation).

RESULTS

Age (P=0.49), sex (P=0.20), baseline venous infarction (P=0.73), and predisposing illnesses (P=0.52) were similar between the thrombolysis and heparin groups. Pretreatment neurological function was worse in the thrombolysis group (normal, n=5; mild, n=8; moderate, n=4; severe, n=3) than in the heparin group (normal, n=8; mild, n=8; moderate, n=3; severe, n=1) (P=NS). Discharge neurological function was better in the thrombolysis group (normal, n=16; mild, n=3; moderate, n=1; severe, n=0) than in the heparin group (normal, n=9; mild, n=6; moderate, n=5; severe, n=0) (P=0.019, Mann-Whitney U test). Hemorrhagic complications were 10% (n=2) in the thrombolysis group (subdural hematoma, retroperitoneal hemorrhage) and none in the heparin group (P=0.49). Three of the heparin group patients developed complications of the underlying disease (status epilepticus, hydrocephalus, refractory papilledema). No deaths occurred. Length of hospital stay was similar between the groups (P=0.79).

CONCLUSIONS

Local thrombolysis with urokinase is fairly well tolerated and may be more effective than systemic heparin anticoagulation alone in treating SSST. A randomized, prospective study comparing these 2 treatments for SSST is warranted.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in children

Cerebral venous thrombosis is an important cause of stroke in children. Understanding the natural history of the disease is essential for rational application of new interventions. We retrospectively identified 31 children with cerebral venous thrombosis confirmed by head computed tomography (4 patients) or by magnetic resonance imaging (27 patients). Risk factors, clinical and radiographic features, and neurologic outcomes were analyzed. There were 21 males and 10 females aged 1 day to 13 years (median 14 days). Nineteen (61%) were neonates. The most common risk factors included mastoiditis, persistent pulmonary hypertension, cardiac malformation, and dehydration. The chief clinical features were seizures, fever, respiratory distress, and lethargy. Fifteen patients had infarctions (8 hemorrhagic, 7 ischemic). Protein C and antithrombin III deficiency were the most common coagulopathies among 14 tested patients. On discharge, 11 patients were normal, 17 had residual deficits, and 2 patients died. Twenty-seven patients were followed from 1 month to 12 years (mean 22 months). At follow-up, 11 patients were normal, and 13 patients had development delay. One had residual hemiparesis and cortical visual impairment. Two had other deficits. Neonatal cerebral venous thrombosis is probably more common than previously thought, and outcomes are worse in this group. All children with cerebral venous thrombosis should be tested for coagulation disorders.

Stroke in children: recognition, treatment, and future directions

Childhood stoke is increasingly recognized, but studies remain largely descriptive. Important differences from adult stroke include the following: (1) frequently delayed or missed diagnosis, (2) heterogenous and overlapping risk factors, and (3) developmental differences in the cerebrovascular, neurologic, and coagulation systems. These aspects limit the extrapolation of the results of adult stroke research and present challenges in caring for children with stroke. The incidence of childhood ischemic stroke exceeds 3.3 in 100,000 children per year, more than double the estimates from past decades. The increased incidence reflects, in part, increased survival in previously fatal conditions predisposing to stroke, including congenital heart disease, sickle cell anemia, and leukemia. Risk factors for stroke are recognized in more than 75% of children. Common risk factors include congenital heart disease and sickle cell disease. Progressive arteriopathies, including vasculitis and moyamoya syndrome, are rare in children with stroke; however, transient arteriopathies including post-varicella angiopathy are increasingly recognized. Prothrombotic abnormalities are frequently present but of unclear significance. Adverse outcomes after childhood stroke, including death in 10%, recurrence in 20%, and neurologic deficits in two thirds of survivors could be reduced with available stroke treatments. Aggressive prehospital emergency care and transfer could improve access to hyperacute stroke therapies including tPA. Currently, the diagnosis is delayed by more than 24 hours from onset in most children. As in adults, tPA will likely produce unacceptable rates of intracerebral hemmorrhage unless given within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset. The appropriate choices for in hospital treatment and secondary preventative strategies, including aspirin and anticoagulants, are controversial. Empiric recommendations are published; however, age-appropriate clinical trials are urgently needed. The large multinational networks of investigators necessary for designing and conducting these future trials are now being formed.

Stroke in Children

Identification and treatment of the underlying risk factors for stroke reduce the potential for additional strokes; therefore, a thorough search for treatable risk factors is justified. Because some risk factors can have a cumulative effect, even children with known risk factors for stroke sometimes need to be evaluated for other conditions. Cerebral angiography is often helpful; I recommend angiography in any child with an unexplained infarction or hemorrhage. Angiography is especially important in children with intraparenchymal hemorrhage because more than one third of such children will prove to have some type of potentially treatable congenital vascular anomaly such as an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or aneurysm. The evidence that periodic blood transfusion effectively prevents cerebral infarction due to sickle cell disease is compelling. Transfusions apparently must be continued indefinitely to maintain the reduction of stroke risk, and without iron chelation, chronic transfusion eventually results in severe iron toxicity and, most likely, death, so the decision to begin transfusion is not an easy one. Measurement of the time-averaged mean flow velocity in the large cerebral vessels with transcranial Doppler (TCD) is highly predictive of stroke risk in these children, enough to justify its routine use in screening patients with sickle cell disease for stroke risk. I believe that patients with sickle cell disease should be offered chronic transfusion after an initial large-vessel stroke or when the TCD results suggest a high risk of stroke. The family must be made aware of the serious complications of chronic transfusion and the importance of complying with chelation once it is started. There are no controlled clinical trials to guide the use of anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, or thrombolytic agents in children, although these drugs are being used more and more often in pediatric patients. For the most part, our approach has been adapted from our experience with adults. Heparin followed by warfarin is often used for sinovenous thrombosis and for arterial dissection. I also suggest long-term anticoagulation for children with coagulopathy or a high risk of embolism due to congenital or acquired cardiac disease. It is reasonable to use a thrombolytic agent in children with an acute infarction; because few children present soon enough after the onset of symptoms, however, thrombolysis is infrequently used. Aspirin is used more than other antiplatelet agents in children, largely because of years of experience with aspirin and the lack of evidence that other agents are more effective. Despite its frequent use, there are no unequivocal indications for the use of aspirin in children. Aspirin is often started empirically in children suspected to be at substantial risk for additional ischemic stroke but whose risk is ill defined, an approach not too dissimilar from that often used in adult patients. Although the risk of Reye's syndrome in a child taking daily aspirin for stroke prevention is a common concern, I know of no published examples of children who developed Reye's syndrome while taking prophylactic aspirin. This apparently low risk must be weighed against the often-considerable risk of ischemic stroke that could be reduced by the use of daily aspirin. In situations such as vasculopathy or infarction of unknown cause, the small risk of Reye's syndrome seems acceptable.

Endovascular treatment of dural sinus thrombosis with rheolytic thrombectomy and intra-arterial thrombolysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare entity that can be difficult to manage. Intrasinus thrombolysis is an increasingly applied intervention, but this modality carries an increased risk of hemorrhage. We describe for the first time an option with a potentially lower incidence of intracranial bleeding, the combination of the AngioJet rheolytic thrombectomy catheter with intra-arterial thrombolysis, in 2 patients with extensive dural sinus thromboses, preexisting intracranial hemorrhage, and severe progressive neurological deficits despite heparin therapy.

METHODS

Four procedures were performed in 2 patients with thromboses in the superior sagittal and transverse sinuses (right in 1 patient and bilateral in 1 patient) and cortical veins. Rheolytic thrombectomy was performed in the sigmoid, transverse, straight, and superior sagittal sinuses; this technique involves the use of the Bernoulli effect to create a vacuum that fragments and aspirates thrombus. For associated persistent cortical vein thromboses, low-dose intra-arterial thrombolysis was used.

RESULTS

Both patients had excellent angiographic results with sinus reopening after rheolytic thrombectomy and cortical vein reopening after intra-arterial thrombolysis. Follow-up CT showed no change in 1 patient and increased preexisting intracranial hemorrhage in the other. One patient had a negative hypercoagulable workup, and the other patient had probable anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome. At 6 months, both patients had excellent clinical outcome with no neurological deficits except mild short-term memory loss in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of rheolytic thrombectomy with intra-arterial thrombolysis is a treatment modality that allows accelerated recanalization of occluded dural sinuses and cerebral veins with lower doses of thrombolytic agents.

Cerebral venous thrombosis: combined intrathrombus rtPA and intravenous heparin

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

We chose to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined intrathrombus rtPA and intravenous heparin in cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

METHODS

We treated 12 patients with symptoms of 1 to 40 days' duration (eg, headache, somnolence, focal deficits, seizures, and nausea and vomiting). Pretreatment MRI disclosed subtle hemorrhagic venous infarction in 4 patients, obvious hemorrhagic infarction in 2, small parenchymal hemorrhage from recent pallidotomy in 1, and no focal lesion in 5. Magnetic resonance venography and contrast venography identified thrombi in the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) in 3 patients; transverse/sigmoid sinus (TS/SS) in 2; SSS and both TS/SS in 1; SSS and 1 TS/SS in 5; and SSS, 1 TS/SS, and straight sinus in 1 patient. A loading dose of rtPA was instilled throughout the clot at 1 mg/cm, followed by continuous intrathrombus infusion at 1 to 2 mg/h. Intravenous heparin was infused concomitantly.

RESULTS

Flow was restored completely in 6 patients and partially in 3, with a mean rtPA dose of 46 mg (range, 23 to 128 mg) at a mean time of 29 hours (range, 13 to 77 hours). Symptoms improved in these 9 patients concomitantly with flow restoration. Flow could not be restored in 3 patients. In 1 of them, treatment was stopped when little progress had been made, and fibrinogen level dropped to 118 mg/dL. In the other 2 patients, hemorrhagic worsening occurred, and treatment was abbreviated after initial rtPA dosing. In 1 of these, the hematoma was evacuated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experience with intrathrombus rtPA in conjunction with intravenous heparin in patients with CVT is encouraging. This therapy should probably be regarded as unsafe in patients with obvious hemorrhage. Time to restore flow may be faster than with urokinase (an average of 71 hours has been reported for 29 documented patients). Further evaluation of rtPA with heparin in CVT is warranted.

Spontaneous dural sinus thrombosis in children

The clinical course of spontaneous dural sinus thrombosis in children varies from indolent to fulminant. Although many different etiologies for the development of dural sinus thrombosis have been described, a full recovery can be anticipated in most children following rehydration and the administration of systemic antibiotics. Steroids, systemic anticoagulation and intrasinus thrombolysis may be beneficial in selected patients, although the efficacy of these therapies has not been established prospectively in children. We reviewed 12 pediatric patients with spontaneous dural sinus thrombosis (1978-1998) to determine the etiology, clinical course and best treatment options. In the absence of a hypercoagulable state, pediatric patients generally recover well with rehydration and antibiotics and do not require anticoagulation.

Dural sinus thrombosis in children with cancer

Dural sinus thrombosis (DST) has been reported in association with cancer in both adults and children. We describe the seven patients seen with this complication in our centre between 1981 and 1995. Diagnosis was confirmed by either cerebral CT scanning, MRI or angiography. Median age was 13 years (range 8-15). Six patients were boys. Six children were being treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma and one for neuroblastoma. Presenting symptoms were seizures and transient neurologic deficit, often preceded by headaches. The probable cause of DST was found in two cases. Tumour localisation in the central nervous system (CNS) probably caused DST in one patient who was treated for ki 1 lymphoma. Dehydration in combination with a poor general condition seemed to be the cause of DST in the patient with neuroblastoma. In five children with stage III or IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma (three lymphoblastic lymphoma; two Burkitt's lymphoma), etiology remained unknown. In these children, DST occurred early in the course of therapy. The median interval between start of chemotherapy and onset of symptoms was 19 days (range 8-40). No child had received L-asparaginase. Prognosis was favourable, with symptoms completely disappearing without therapy within 1 to 5 days. The incidence of DST in patients with advanced stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma during induction and consolidation was calculated to be below 3%. We conclude that DST is rarely diagnosed in children with cancer. Occurrence during the initial phase of therapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma is associated with a benign prognosis.

Isolated deep cerebral venous thrombosis treated by direct endovascular thrombolysis

BACKGROUND

Isolated thrombosis of the deep cerebral venous system is very rare and is associated with a poor prognosis. Antithrombin III (AT III) deficiency is a disorder of hypercoagulability associated with deep venous thrombosis and recurrent pulmonary emboli. We report a case of an 18-year-old man who presented with spontaneous thrombosis of the deep cerebral veins and straight dural sinus as the initial presentation of a previously undiagnosed AT III deficiency.

METHODS

The patient was managed using direct endovascular infusion of the fibrinolytic agent urokinase followed by intravenous heparin.

RESULTS

The technique was successful in establishing patency of the deep cerebral venous system. The patient experienced a good clinical outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct endovascular thrombolysis is a potentially effective management strategy for isolated thrombosis of the deep cerebral venous system.