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The Neurologist May 2021Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) can rarely present with cranial neuropathies other than abducent nerve palsy. The authors report a case and review the literature...
INTRODUCTION
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) can rarely present with cranial neuropathies other than abducent nerve palsy. The authors report a case and review the literature for nonabducent cranial neuropathies in CVST.
CASE REPORT
A 22-year-old woman with a history of oral contraceptive use developed right-sided headache, blurred vision, and dizziness for 4 days. Magnetic resonance venogram showed complete thrombosis of the right transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus, and internal jugular vein, and partial thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus, left transverse sinus, and superior part of the left internal jugular vein. Hypercoagulable workup revealed heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation. About 2 weeks after symptom onset, she developed right facial droop and left eye ptosis. Examination revealed bilateral papilledema, partial left ptosis, complete right abducent, and right peripheral facial palsies. Acetazolamide 250 mg 2 times per day was initiated for the treatment of headache. Three days after starting acetazolamide left ptosis, right facial and abducent palsies improved that continued to get better with only slight deficits at discharge 4 weeks from symptom onset. Follow-up computed tomography venogram on day 24 showed partial recanalization of CVST.
CONCLUSION
A systematic review identified 26 patients from 21 articles with nonabducent cranial neuropathies. Seven patients had lower motor neuron facial palsy, 13 patients had hearing loss or vertigo with vestibulocochlear involvement, and 6 patients had other mixed cranial nerve palsies with CVST. They are usually associated with transverse sinus and/or sigmoid sinus thrombosis. They have a good prognosis with improvement and complete resolution of cranial neuropathies in most cases usually in 1 month.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Papilledema; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial; Superior Sagittal Sinus; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Transverse Sinuses; Young Adult
PubMed: 33942790
DOI: 10.1097/NRL.0000000000000310 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Aug 2021Which type of closure after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), whether primary, patching, or eversion, will provide the optimal results has remained controversial. In the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Which type of closure after carotid endarterectomy (CEA), whether primary, patching, or eversion, will provide the optimal results has remained controversial. In the present study, we compared the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic meta-analyses of the various types of closure.
METHODS
We conducted a PubMed literature review search to find studies that had compared CEA with primary closure, CEA with patching, and/or eversion CEA (ECEA) during the previous three decades with an emphasis on RCTs, previously reported systematic meta-analyses, large multicenter observational studies (Vascular Quality Initiative data), and recent single-center large studies.
RESULTS
The results from RCTs comparing primary patching vs primary closure were as follows. Most of the randomized trials showed CEA with patching was superior to CEA with primary closure in lowering the perioperative stroke rates, stroke and death rates, carotid thrombosis rates, and late restenosis rates. These studies also showed no significant differences between the preferential use of several patch materials, including synthetic patches (polyethylene terephthalate [Dacron; DuPont, Wilmington, Del], Acuseal [Gore Medical, Flagstaff, Ariz], polytetrafluoroethylene, or pericardial patches) and vein patches (saphenous or jugular). The results from observational studies comparing patching vs primary closure were as follows. The Vascular Study Group of New England data showed that the use of patching increased from 71% to 91% (P < .001). Also, the 1-year restenosis and occlusion (P < .01) and 1-year stroke and transient ischemic attack (P < .03) rates were significantly lower statistically with patch closure. The results from the RCTs comparing ECEA vs conventional CEA (CCEA) were as follows. Several RCTs that had compared ECEA with CCEA showed equivalency of CCEA vs ECEA (level 1 evidence) with patching in the perioperative carotid thrombosis and stroke rates. At 4 years after treatment, the incidence of carotid stenosis was lower for ECEA than for primary closure (3.6% vs 9.2%; P = .01) but was comparable between patching and eversion (1.5% for patching vs 2.8% for eversion).
CONCLUSIONS
Routine carotid patching or ECEA was superior to primary closure (level 1 evidence). We found no significant differences between the preferential use of several patch materials. The rates of significant post-CEA stenosis for CEA with patching was similar to that with ECEA, and both were superior to primary closure.
Topics: Carotid Artery Diseases; Endarterectomy, Carotid; Hemostasis, Surgical; Humans; Postoperative Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Recurrence; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33862187
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2021.02.051 -
CJEM Mar 2021Kussmaul's sign, the absence of a drop in jugular venous pressure or a paradoxical increase in jugular venous pressure on inspiration, can be evaluated as an indicator... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Kussmaul's sign, the absence of a drop in jugular venous pressure or a paradoxical increase in jugular venous pressure on inspiration, can be evaluated as an indicator of right ventricular myocardial infarction. Right ventricular myocardial infarction complicates 30-50% of inferior myocardial infarctions and is associated with increased mortality when compared to inferior myocardial infarction without right ventricular involvement. Early recognition allows maintenance of preload. We reviewed the diagnostic test accuracy studies for Kussmaul's sign for diagnosis of right ventricular myocardial infarction.
METHODS
We conducted a librarian-assisted search using PubMed, Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane database from 1965 to October 2019. Only English language restriction was imposed. We identified studies that assessed patients presenting to a hospital with a suspected myocardial infarction who underwent an assessment for Kussmaul's sign and a diagnostic test for right ventricular myocardial infarction. Four independent reviewers extracted data from relevant studies. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. A bivariate random effects meta-analysis was performed.
RESULTS
We identified 122 studies; ten were selected for full review. Eight studies had comparable populations with a total of 469 consecutive patients admitted with acute inferior myocardial infarction and were included in the analysis. Prevalence of right ventricular myocardial infarction was 36% (confidence interval [CI] 95% 31.8-40.5). All reference standards were combined. Kussmaul's sign had a sensitivity of 62.5% (44.6, 77.5), specificity 90% (73.0, 96.8), negative likelihood ratio (LR) 0.2 (0.1-0.8) and positive LR 5.8 (2.5, 13.3).
CONCLUSION
In the presence of acute myocardial infarction, Kussmaul's sign is specific for acute right ventricular myocardial infarction and may serve as an important clinical sign of right ventricular dysfunction requiring preload preserving management.
Topics: Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Jugular Veins; Myocardial Infarction
PubMed: 33709353
DOI: 10.1007/s43678-020-00012-8 -
Experimental Physiology May 2021What is the central question of this study? Recently, an internal jugular venous thrombus was identified during spaceflight: does microgravity induce venous and/or... (Review)
Review
NEW FINDINGS
What is the central question of this study? Recently, an internal jugular venous thrombus was identified during spaceflight: does microgravity induce venous and/or coagulation pathophysiology, and thus an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE)? What is the main finding and its importance? Whilst data are limited, this systematic review suggests that microgravity and its analogues may induce an enhanced coagulation state due to venous changes most prominent in the cephalad venous system, as a consequence of changes in venous flow, distension, pressures, endothelial damage and possibly hypercoagulability in microgravity and its analogues. However, whether such changes precipitate an increased VTE risk in spaceflight remains to be determined.
ABSTRACT
Recently, an internal jugular venous thrombus was identified during spaceflight, but whether microgravity induces venous and/or coagulation pathophysiology, and thus, an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unclear. Therefore, a systematic (Cochrane compliant) review was performed of venous system or coagulation parameters in actual spaceflight (microgravity) or ground-based analogues in PubMed, MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane Library, European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt databases. Seven-hundred and eight articles were retrieved, of which 26 were included for evaluation with 21 evaluating venous, and five coagulation parameters. Nine articles contained spaceflight data, whereas the rest reported ground-based analogue data. There is substantial variability in study design, objectives and outcomes. Yet, data suggested cephalad venous system dilatation, increased venous pressures and decreased/reversed flow in microgravity. Increased fibrinogen levels, presence of thrombin generation markers and endothelial damage were also reported. Limited human venous and coagulation system data exist in spaceflight, or its analogues. Nevertheless, data suggest spaceflight may induce an enhanced coagulation state in the cephalad venous system, as a consequence of changes in venous flow, distension, pressures, endothelial damage and possibly hypercoagulability. Whether such changes precipitate an increased VTE risk in spaceflight remains to be determined.
Topics: Blood Coagulation; Humans; Jugular Veins; Space Flight; Thrombosis; Weightlessness
PubMed: 33704837
DOI: 10.1113/EP089409 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2020Gross strap muscle invasion (gSMI) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) was defined as high-risk recurrent group in the 2015 American Thyroid...
Gross strap muscle invasion (gSMI) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) was defined as high-risk recurrent group in the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines. However, controversy persists because several studies suggested gSMI had little effect on disease outcome. Herein, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate impact of gSMI on outcome of DTC. A systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE) for studies published until February 2020 was performed. Case-control studies and randomized controlled trials that studied the impact of gSMI on outcome of DTC were included. Six studies (all retrospective studies) involving 13,639 patients met final inclusion criteria. Compared with no extrathyroidal extension (ETE), patients with gSMI were associated with increased risk of recurrence ( = 0.0004, OR, 1.46; 95% CI: 1.18-1.80) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) ( < 0.00001, OR 4.19; 95% CI: 2.53-6.96). For mortality ( = 0.34, OR 1.47; 95% CI: 0.67-3.25), 10 year disease-specific survival ( = 0.80, OR 0.91; 95% CI: 0.44-1.88), and distant metastasis (DM) ( = 0.21, OR 2.94; 95% CI: 0.54-15.93), there was no significant difference between gSMI and no ETE group. In contrast with maximal ETE(extension of the primary tumor to the trachea, esophagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve, larynx, subcutaneous soft tissue, skin, internal jugular vein, or carotid artery), patients with gSMI were associated with decreased risk of recurrence ( < 0.0001, OR, 0.58; 95% CI: 0.44-0.76), mortality ( = 0.0003, OR 0.20; 95% CI: 0.08-0.48), LNM ( = 0.0003, OR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.50-0.81), and DM ( = 0.0009, OR 0.28; 95% CI: 0.13-0.59). DTC patients with gSMI had a higher risk of recurrence and LNM than those without ETE. However, in contrast with maximal ETE, a much better prognosis was observed in DTC patients with only gSMI.
PubMed: 33102203
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01687 -
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy May 2021To determine the optimal anticoagulation strategy in patients diagnosed with Lemierre Syndrome (LS).
OBJECTIVE
To determine the optimal anticoagulation strategy in patients diagnosed with Lemierre Syndrome (LS).
DATA SOURCES
A systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, ProQuest, and CINAHL from January to April 2020. Search terms included "Lemierre Syndrome" AND "anticoagulation" NOT "prophylaxis" OR "atrial fibrillation," in addition to a list of parenteral and oral anticoagulants. Adult patients who developed a clot and required systemic anticoagulation as a result of LS were included in this review.
STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION
A total of 4180 records were initially identified, though following the removal of duplicates and nonrelevant entries, 216 full-text articles were reviewed for inclusion; 13 articles were ultimately included.
DATA SYNTHESIS
The majority (11/14) of patients developed thromboses of the internal jugular veins, which corresponds to the pathophysiology of LS. Anticoagulation strategies were varied in the included literature, though 12/14 patients initially received a parenteral product. Two patients received a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) following either intravenous heparin or subcutaneous enoxaparin and had outcomes similar to patients transitioned to warfarin.
RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE
Anticoagulation in LS is a clinical controversy because the thromboembolic events have rarely led to significant complications; thrombi typically resolve independently, and concerns for bleeding risks are well founded; however, this review indicates both the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation.
CONCLUSIONS
Anticoagulation is both efficacious and safe in LS, including treatment using a DOAC. Although further studies are needed, clinicians should consider a duration of anticoagulation of 6 to 12 weeks.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Atrial Fibrillation; Disease Management; Drug Administration Schedule; Enoxaparin; Heparin; Humans; Jugular Veins; Lemierre Syndrome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Thromboembolism; Warfarin
PubMed: 32909436
DOI: 10.1177/1060028020957620 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Oct 2020Transcervical carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as an alternative to transfemoral CAS. An earlier systematic review from our group (n = 12 studies; 739... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Transcervical carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as an alternative to transfemoral CAS. An earlier systematic review from our group (n = 12 studies; 739 transcervical CAS procedures [489/739 with flow reversal]) demonstrated that transcervical CAS is a safe procedure associated with a low incidence of stroke and complications. Since then, new studies have been published adding nearly 1600 patients to the literature. We aimed to update our early systematic review and also to perform a meta-analysis to investigate outcomes specifically after transcervical CAS with flow reversal.
METHODS
An electronic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane databases was carried out to identify studies reporting outcomes after transcervical CAS with flow reversal. Crude event rates for outcomes of interest were estimated by simple pooling of data. A proportion meta-analysis was also performed to estimate pooled outcome rates.
RESULTS
A total of 18 studies (n = 2110 transcervical CAS procedures with flow reversal) were identified. A high technical success (98.25%) and a low mortality rate (0.48%) were recorded. The crude rates of major stroke, minor stroke, transient ischemic attack, and myocardial infarction (MI) were 0.71%, 0.90%, 0.57%, and 0.57%, respectively; a cranial nerve injury occurred in 0.28% of the procedures. A neck hematoma was reported in 1.04% of the procedures, and a carotid artery dissection occurred in 0.76% of the interventions; in 1.09% of the cases, conversion to carotid endarterectomy was required. After a meta-analysis was undertaken, the pooled technical success rate was 98.69% (95% confidence interval [CI], 97.19-99.70). A pooled mortality rate of 0.04% (95% CI, 0.00-0.29) was recorded. The pooled rate of any type of neurologic complications was 1.88 (95% CI, 1.24-2.61), whereas the pooled rates of major stroke, minor stroke, and transient ischemic attack were 0.12% (95% CI, 0.00-0.46), 0.15% (95% CI, 0.00-0.50), and 0.01% (95% CI, 0.00-0.22), respectively. The pooled rate of bradycardia/hypotension was 10.21% (95% CI, 3.99-18.51), whereas the pooled rate of MI was 0.08% (95% CI, 0.00-0.39). A neck hematoma after transcervical CAS was recorded in 1.51% (95% CI, 0.22-3.54) of the procedures; in 0.74% (95% CI, 0.05-1.95) of the interventions, conversion to CEA was required. Finally, a carotid artery dissection during transcervical CAS occurred in 0.47% (95% CI, 0.00-1.38) of the procedures.
CONCLUSIONS
This updated systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that transcervical CAS with flow reversal is associated with high technical success, almost zero mortality, and low rates of major stroke, minor stroke, MI, and complications.
Topics: Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; Carotid Artery, Common; Carotid Stenosis; Femoral Vein; Humans; Incidence; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Jugular Veins; Myocardial Infarction; Postoperative Complications; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Stents; Stroke; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32422272
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2020.04.501 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery. Venous and... Jul 2020Whereas the internal jugular vein is the most common site of thrombosis in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity, the association between...
OBJECTIVE
Whereas the internal jugular vein is the most common site of thrombosis in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity, the association between internal jugular vein thrombus and pulmonary embolism (PE) has not been clearly characterized. The objective of this paper was to determine the risk of embolization of an isolated internal jugular vein thrombus causing a clinically overt PE, with the secondary objective of assessing the value of therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with isolated internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) in improving clinical outcomes.
METHODS
The National Center for Biotechnology Information, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched for articles. The relevant articles included were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Studies were included if they specifically examined incidence of IJVT and incidence of PE and were excluded if they did not report on these rates specifically or failed to specify the exact site of upper extremity DVT.
RESULTS
Of the 274 articles screened, 25 were selected for full review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses inclusion criteria. Seven of those provided adequate data and were included in the review. There were only two studies demonstrating IJVT before PE that could probably establish causality, but this might be confounded by the presence of concomitant upper extremity DVT in one of the cases and radiologic findings compatible with resolving PE in another that might have preceded the presence of internal jugular vein thrombus. In the patients who were found to have PE in the setting of IJVT, the overall observed mortality attributed to PE was low. In specific studies, the use of anticoagulation did not reduce the mortality in those with isolated IJVT or affect the rate of thrombus resolution while carrying the risk of bleeding complications in these patients, who often have severe comorbidities.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite the proximity of the jugular vein to the right side of the heart and the pulmonary vasculature, there is little proof of propagation of the thrombus to cause a clinically overt PE. Whereas current practice is to treat the patients with IJVT in the same way as patients with lower extremity DVTs are treated, the lack of any survival benefit in those with isolated IJVT and the risk of bleeding complications warrant further studies to characterize the need of medical management in this population of patients.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Hemorrhage; Humans; Incidence; Jugular Veins; Pulmonary Embolism; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 32321692
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.03.003 -
Acta Clinica Belgica Aug 2021: Lemierre's syndrome is a septic thromboembolic complication of an oropharyngeal or neck infection, primarily caused by Fusobacterium species. Although it usually...
: Lemierre's syndrome is a septic thromboembolic complication of an oropharyngeal or neck infection, primarily caused by Fusobacterium species. Although it usually affects young healthy patients, some case reports describe this syndrome in older population.: A case report and a systematic review of the literature were conducted to investigate the late onset of Lemierre's syndrome. Forty-one articles were selected for the qualitative analysis, 39 for the quantitative analysis.: The average age of the study population was 52 years old. Diabetes mellitus and upper gastro-intestinal malignancy, common comorbidities in the study population, might play a role in the development of late-onset Lemierre's syndrome. Empiric antibiotic treatment should cover Fusobacterium and Streptococcus species both, which may cooperate to induce purulent disease. Reported unfavourable outcome was more than expected.: Lemierre's syndrome in adulthood may differ from the usual version. This disease may further pass unrecognized, if presented out of the expected age range. Nevertheless, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are a requisite to prevent morbidity and mortality, which may be higher in this older population.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Fusobacterium necrophorum; Humans; Lemierre Syndrome; Middle Aged
PubMed: 32116143
DOI: 10.1080/17843286.2020.1731661 -
Annals of Plastic Surgery Apr 2020Chylous leak is an uncommon complication after head and neck surgery and typically results from a lesion of the thoracic duct (TD). Beside conservative treatment,...
BACKGROUND
Chylous leak is an uncommon complication after head and neck surgery and typically results from a lesion of the thoracic duct (TD). Beside conservative treatment, different minimally invasive and surgical procedures exist, of which almost all lead to a total closure of the TD.
METHODS
We report on a rare case of microsurgical lymphovenous anastomosis to treat a TD lesion. An additional systematic review on surgical procedures to treat TD lesions with special attention to lymphovenous anastomoses was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
A 52-year-old patient with a chylous fistula after modified radical neck dissection was successfully treated by a lymphovenous anastomosis of the TD and external jugular vein with additional coverage by sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. The patient showed a complete resolution of chylous leak with an uneventful postoperative course.The systematic search of literature yielded 684 articles with 4 case reports on lymphovenous anastomosis in chylous leak with a high success rate. Other surgical techniques include transcervical, thoracoscopic, or video-assisted thoracoscopic TD ligation, either alone or combined with a local muscle flap.
CONCLUSIONS
Lymphovenous anastomosis of the TD is a feasible and safe technique allowing for treatment of cervical TD lesions, especially if minimally invasive procedures fail. Compared with other techniques, lymphatic circulation can successfully be maintained.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Anastomosis, Surgical; Fistula; Jugular Veins; Neck Dissection; Thoracic Duct
PubMed: 31800553
DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002108