A Rare Case of Unprovoked Deep Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis With Associated Petechial Hemorrhage.

A 73-year-old male with hyperlipidemia and prior squamous cell carcinoma presented with a new-onset generalized tonic-clonic seizure and left-sided weakness. He had a progressively worsening cervical and occipital headache for nine days and was initially evaluated with an unremarkable CT head. The patient arrived at the emergency department with a left gaze deviation, prompting a "Code Neuro." CT angiography (CTA) detected a large dural sinus thrombosis, which was confirmed with a CT venogram and brain MRI. The patient was closely monitored in the intensive care unit and managed with heparin, nicardipine, and hypertonic saline boluses. Neurosurgery opted against surgical intervention. EEG revealed right hemisphere focal dysfunction. Recanalization occurred on hospital day 6. The patient was transitioned to apixaban upon discharge and instructed to follow up with hematology for a hypercoagulable workup. This case highlights the diagnostic complexity of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), urging consideration of a differential even in atypical patients. We hope reporting this case will prompt clinicians to consider CVST in patients with non-specific symptoms, leading to timely diagnosis and treatment.

A novel dual balloon rectal catheter for use in the postoperative assessment of low rectal anastomoses following low anterior resection.

Following low anterior resection (LAR) of the colon, an image-guided assessment of the anastomosis for leak is typically performed using an enema via a rectal catheter, whether by CT or fluoroscopy. However, there is potential for poor assessment due to inappropriate catheter positioning as well as potential risk that the anastomosis becomes compromised by the balloon inflation. This article discusses the adaptation of a novel double-balloon catheter (originally designed by a member of our institution for use in pediatric intussusception reduction) for assessment of low rectal anastomoses. The goal of this technical note is to demonstrate our experience with this catheter, primarily through example cases, and explain its potential for optimizing colon distension, minimizing improper catheter placement, and potentially reducing the risk of iatrogenic anastomosis disruption.