rss
Thorax 1999;54:1139-1140 doi:10.1136/thx.54.12.1139
  • Case Report

Paradoxical embolism in a boy with cystic fibrosis and a stroke

  1. S D Playfora,
  2. A R Smythb
  1. aDepartment of Paediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK, bDepartment of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK
  1. Dr S D Playfor
  • Received 15 December 1997
  • Accepted 2 March 1998

Abstract

An 11 year old boy with cystic fibrosis suffered a stroke, producing right sided weakness. Four years previously a totally implantable venous access device (Port-a-Cath) had been inserted. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed a filling defect in the left middle cerebral artery. Transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a thrombus attached to the tip of the Port-a-Cath and also the presence of a patent foramen ovale. After an initial period of anticoagulation the defect was closed using a septal occlusion device introduced via a cardiac catheter. The boy's neurological signs completely resolved and he remains free from further thromboembolic episodes. Whilst pulmonary embolism has been described before in relation to a totally implantable venous access device, this is believed to be the first description of a paradoxical embolism in relation to such a device.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.