Imagine the sudden fear of a blood clot blocking a major vein in your brain. For a 32-year-old woman with migraines who used birth control pills, this became a reality. She developed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, a condition where a clot blocks blood from leaving the brain.
Doctors used a specific tool called a NeVa stent retriever to clear the blockage. This was the first time they used this specific device for this type of vein. The procedure successfully reopened the blocked area and restored proper blood flow. While it is an off-label use, meaning it is not officially approved for this exact spot, the high mesh density of the tool may help it grab onto older clots in large veins.
Following the procedure, her neurological status improved significantly. By her 34-day checkup, she had a modified Rankin Scale score of zero, which means she returned to her normal daily life without disability. While the procedure did cause a temporary spike in pressure inside her head, it ultimately allowed for successful recovery.