Surgical removal of an inferior vena cava thrombus.

Studies on the management of inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis have rarely focused upon the risk of later development of post-thrombotic syndrome of the lower limbs. From 1983-1989, 52 patients with ilio-femoral thrombosis with an extension of thrombus into the IVC were treated. In addition to lower limb pain and swelling, 12 (23%) patients had symptomatic pulmonary embolism on admission. Perfusion/ventilation pulmonary scans were positive in 63%. Twelve patients received only anti-coagulant treatment. Thrombectomy was attempted in 40 patients, but failed in 13 patients due to old thrombi. Twenty-seven patients had surgical removal of thrombus combined with anti-coagulation [temporary arterio-venous fistula (AVF) and IVC interruption (n = 15); AVF alone (n = 9); and without fistula n = 3)]. The mortality and morbidity were low and hospital stay was not prolonged. Thirty-eight legs were examined at 7-66 months (mean: 23 +/- 3) after initial treatment. The limbs in which the IVC thrombus could not be removed (n = 20) were symptomatic in 25% of patients, venous ulcer developed in 4 of 20 limbs. The ilio-femoral segment was patent in only 35%. The thrombectomised limbs (n = 18) were asymptomatic in 56%; none had developed ulcer and iliac patency was 72%. Doppler investigations and refilling times were normal in 39% of the thrombectomised limbs. All patients without surgical IVC thrombus removal developed contralateral deep venous thrombosis during the follow-up period. This study shows that femoro-ilio-caval thrombectomy is successful only in patients with a short history and fresh clot, and can be safely performed with low morbidity and mortality.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Value of ultrasound in persistent flank pain.

Urinary tract stones were present in 41 patients out of 54 who presented with recurrent or persistent flank pain. Ultrasound showed pelvicaliceal dilatation in 95.1% of these patients. Ultrasound is a safe, quick, reliable and cost effective diagnostic tool in such cases. Intravenous urography should be reserved for cases which need surgical intervention.

Iliofemoral venous thrombectomy followed by percutaneous closure of the temporary arteriovenous fistula.

Iliofemoral venous thrombosis treated by anticoagulants alone almost invariably results in postthrombotic sequelae with deep venous reflux alone or combined with an outflow obstruction. This study evaluates the result of iliofemoral venous thrombectomy with temporary proximal arteriovenous fistula (AVF) performed on 48 consecutive patients. In 10 patients the thrombus extended in the inferior vena cava, and the thrombectomy was combined with inferior vena cava interruption. The AVF closed spontaneously in 8 of 48 patients (patency rate, 84%). An attempt to close the AVF by placing a detachable balloon percutaneously under radiographic control was made 6 to 12 weeks later (success rate, 87%; complications, rare). A preclosure arteriovenography of the femoro-iliaco-caval segment revealed 34 of 38 segments open (patency rate, 89%). Four patients had severe stenosis of the iliac segment, and a transvenous percutaneous dilatation was successfully performed in three of the four patients, keeping the fistula. At AVF closure 4 weeks later the arteriovenography showed sustained dilatation in only two patients. Thirty-seven patients were followed for 3 to 48 months (median, 24 months) and 30 of 37 patients (81%) who had no symptoms were not using compression stockings. Doppler investigation revealed patent and competent femoral and popliteal veins and normal photoplethysmography in 56% of the patients. Four iliac veins were occluded (patency rate, 88%). No recurrence of fistula had occurred. Venous iliofemoral thrombectomy seems to better preserve valve function. The percutaneous balloon closure of the AVF has decreased the complication rate, facilitated venographic evaluation of the result, and made possible the performance of percutaneous interventions under the protection of the AVF.

Primary closure or secondary granulation after excision of pilonidal sinus?

Two methods for treatment of chronic pilonidal disease were compared in a randomised trial of 100 patients with a mean follow-up of 29 months. Four patients were excluded from the excision and closure group, leaving 96 patients for analysis. Initial primary healing was significantly more frequent after excision and primary closure (45/46; 98%) compared with excision and healing by secondary granulation (36/50; 72%). The mean healing time was significantly shorter in the excision and closure group (10.3 days) compared to the excision and granulation group (13 weeks). There was, however, no significant difference between the two groups in cure rate after the first operation. The recurrence rate in the excision and granulation group was 12% and after primary closure 20%. The presence of stiff hair and anaerobic bacteria were related to the failure of primary healing, but not associated with recurrence. Although the cure rate was the same regardless which operation was done, the primary healing was quicker and the healing time and duration of sick-leave were shorter after primary closure. Excision with primary closure therefore seems to be the preferable method.

The brachiocephalic fistula: a successful secondary vascular access procedure.

In the period from January 1988 to July 1989, 185 arteriovenous conduits for hemodialysis were created in 150 patients with end stage renal disease including 20 procedures (13 patients) performed as emergency external shunts. Of the remaining patients 125/137 (139 procedures) could be followed. The procedures included 85 end-to-side radiocephalic wrist fistulas, 42 end-to-side brachiocephalic elbow fistulas and 12 brachioaxillary grafts. Complications associated with brachiocephalic fistulas were not significantly higher than with radiocephalic fistulas, except for the development of arterial steal and pseudoaneurysm formation. The 12-month patency rates were 72% and 75% in radiocephalic and brachiocephalic fistulas respectively. The end-to-side brachiocephalic fistula is a successful secondary vascular access procedure and is recommended when a primary radiocephalic fistula fails.

Embolic brain infarction: a rare complication of thoracic outlet syndrome. A report of two cases.

The thoracic outlet syndrome is known to cause brachial neuropathy. Pressure on the subclavian artery causing post-stenotic dilatation with intraluminal thrombosis is not a common complication. This may lead to antegrade embolisation and ischemic changes in the upper limb. In right sided thoracic outlet syndrome the thrombus may extend retrogradely. From this an embolus may detach to the right hemisphere of the brain resulting in left sided hemiplegia. This is a rare but serious complication from a neglected, relatively benign, curable condition. This report describes two cases of a right sided thoracic outlet syndrome due to cervical rib compression with retrograde embolisation.

Subcutaneous and intramuscular pressures in the post-phlebitic limb.

The mechanisms of pain in patients with chronic iliac vein obstruction and venous claudication is not fully understood. Ten patients with severe to moderate unilateral post-thrombotic syndrome with chronic iliac vein obstruction were studied. Subcutaneous tissue pressures and intramuscular pressures were measured using the slit-catheter technique in both legs, at rest and during exercise. The subcutaneous tissue pressure was higher, but not significantly higher, in the leg with iliac vein obstruction, +2 (-2 to +10) mmHg, than in the contralateral healthy legs, 0 (-4 to +4) mmHg in supine position at rest. During exercise in the standing position the subcutaneous tissue pressure rose significantly (p less than 0.01) in the diseased leg to 9 (+4 to +15) mmHg, while no such increase was seen in the control limb, 0 (-4 to +4) versus -1 (-5 to +4) mmHg. The intramuscular pressures were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) in the leg with iliac vein obstruction 26 (15 to 42) mmHg, than in the control leg, 11 (1 to 15) mmHg at rest in supine position as well as during exercise in standing position, 64 (35 to 82) mmHg and 26 (10 to 36) mmHg, respectively.

The relationship between subcutaneous tissue pressures and intramuscular pressures in normal and edematous legs.

The interstitial hydrostatic pressure is affecting fluid movements at microvascular level. A disturbance in the Starling equilibrium results in edema formation. The effect of venous outflow and lymphatic obstructions in human, on the interstitial fluid pressures subcutaneously and intramuscularly and the possible interaction between veins and lymphatics was studied. Utilizing a slit-catheter technique, subcutaneous tissue and intramuscular pressures were measured bilaterally in 10 patients with venous outflow obstruction and in 10 patients with lymphatic obstruction. In lymphatic obstruction the subcutaneous tissue pressure was significantly elevated as well as the intramuscular pressure, while in venous obstruction the subcutaneous tissue pressure was normal. The intramuscular pressure was significantly elevated during exercise reaching 60 mm Hg or more, combined with severe pain. Pain did not occur in patients with lymphatic obstruction. This study suggests that in lymphatic obstruction there is also an involvement of either deep lymphatics, venous dysfunction or a combination of both. Intramuscular pressures do not reach the critical level for pain during exercise. In venous obstruction mainly the intramuscular compartment is involved and interstitial pressure reaches values well above 60 mm Hg during exercise, at which level pain occurs, possibly due to tension of painreceptors in the muscle fascias.