RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The authors report on four clinical cases with intraarterial verapamil administration to resolve vasospasm in patients who underwent surgery for intracranial tumors. Iatrogenic subarachnoid hemorrhage after tumor resection and subsequent vasospasm (an increase in the systolic linear velocity of blood flow through the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery of more than 250 cm/sec; Lindegaard index: 4.1) were observed in four patients during the early postoperative period after the removal of intracerebral tumors. Each vasospasm case was confirmed by angiography data, was clinically significant, and manifested as the development of a neurological deficit. OBSERVATIONS: Resolution of vasospasm with the intraarterial administration of verapamil was achieved in all four cases as confirmed by angiographic data in all four cases and complete regression of neurological symptoms in two cases. In all four presented cases, vasospasm was resolved; unfortunately, the resolution did not always lead to significant clinical improvement. However, lethal outcomes were avoided in two cases, and almost full recoveries were achieved in the other two. LESSONS: The authors believe that the removal of intracranial tumors can cause expected and potential complications, such as cerebral vasospasm, which must be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.
RESUMEN
Acute thrombosis of cerebral veins and sinuses (ATCVS) is a multifactorial disease with grave consequences. Because of its rare occurrence there are no proven treatment guidelines. Sixteen patients with ATCVS were treated. The final diagnosis was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. Sinus catheterization was performed via transfemoral venous access. Treatment included mechanical manipulation of thrombi and thrombolytic therapy. A regression of clinical symptoms with a concomitant decrease of intracranial hypertension was achieved in all patients. Long-term results were studied in eight patients: none presented clinical signs of intracranial hypertension. Endovascular transvenous recanalization is an effective treatment for acute thrombosis of cerebral veins and sinuses. Along with the local thrombolysis, significant potential in the treatment of this complex pathology lies in the transvenous endovascular techniques of mechanical thrombus extraction, especially in patients with intracranial hemorrhage for whom the use of thrombolytic agents is restricted.