Venous thromboembolism (VTE) rarely occurs during childhood and, with few exceptions, should be considered as a disease of sick children. Current recommendations concerning the duration of anticoagulant treatment for paediatric VTE are essentially based on the results of clinical trials conducted in adults. Yet the underlying medical conditions, incidence, and anatomical locations of the disease, as well as the rates of unprovoked VTE, morbidity, and mortality, differ between adults and children. Unprovoked VTE is uncommon in childhood. Most children experiencing VTE present risk factors, such as the presence of a central venous catheter (CVC), cancer, chemotherapy (in particular with asparaginase or steroids), obesity, severe infection, congenital cardiopathy (notably in conjunction with hepatic venous stasis), serious trauma, an anatomical venous anomaly (such as atresia or agenesia) or a nephrotic syndrome (inducing a deficit in antithrombin or protein S), premature birth, or maternal combined oral contraception. The recent possibility of administering direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) to children undoubtedly constitutes the greatest change in the treatment of paediatric VTE. The advantages of this therapy include the possibility of its oral administration, even in infants, the absence of any need for laboratory follow-up, and the lack of food interactions. With the approval of the direct factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban (by the European Medicines Agency and Health Canada), and the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran (by the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration), paediatric anticoagulant therapy is changing. Only rivaroxaban currently has a Marketing Authorisation in France for the treatment of childhood VTE.
Introduction Venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses a significant challenge in cancer patients, particularly those with advanced malignancies. The management of recurrent VTE is complicated by the need for effective anticoagulation while addressing the underlying cancer progression. Cases We present two clinical cases from the gastroenterology department at Percy French military hospital involving patients with progressive malignant digestive diseases. Patient 1, a 62-year-old woman, developed recurrent pulmonary embolism despite appropriate anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). After treatment adjustments, she ultimately succumbed to tumor progression. Patient 2, a 54-year-old man hospitalized for pulmonary embolism, faced upper gastrointestinal bleeding and delayed anticoagulation initiation. Although he showed initial improvement with immunotherapy and stabilization of thrombotic events, he experienced oncological progression and recurrent VTE, leading to palliative care. Discussion These cases illustrate the difficulties of managing recurrent VTE, even with curative anticoagulation and dose escalation. In case of VTE recurrence, it is essential to investigate for cancer progression and ensure patient adherence to treatment. A comprehensive management strategy should involve both the malignancy and the thrombotic complications. Conclusion The management of recurrent VTE in cancer patients requires a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the benefit-risk ratio of anticoagulation adjustments. These clinical cases highlight the necessity for integrated care that addresses both oncological and thrombotic concerns, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention and collaboration among healthcare providers.
Fenestration of the vertebral artery is a rare vascular anatomical variant that can mimic a dissection if discovered during cervical trauma. It is important to diagnose it through computed tomography (CT) angiography or magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in order to best guide the patient's management.
Complication after carotid artery revascularization is mainly represented by stroke. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome triggering by carotid artery revascularization is exceptional but it is an unrecognized aetiology of stroke. It could be associated with brain edema and henceforth, a posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome can be confused with post-carotid artery revascularization cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome. We reported three cases about reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome following revascularization therapy whose one had also a posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. This complication occurred within two weeks after carotid artery revascularization. All took nimodipine and all had a functional improvement at 3-months follow-up. Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome after carotid artery revascularization may mimic cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome. After a comprehensive review, nineteen cases of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome post-carotid artery revascularization have been reported in the literature mainly after symptoms. It occurs mainly in women around sixty years of age. The onset is expected four days after revascularization.
