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NeVa stent retriever achieves near-complete recanalization of superior sagittal sinus in cerebral venous sinus thrombosisStent retriever helps woman with blood clot in brain vein

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Key Takeaway
Note that NeVa stent retrievers may facilitate recanalization in large-caliber cerebral venous sinuses, though evidence is limited to one case.

This case report describes a single instance of mechanical thrombectomy for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis using an off-label NeVa stent retriever (5.5x37 mm). The patient, a 32-year-old woman with migraine and oral contraceptive use, presented with superior sagittal sinus involvement.

The primary outcome was near-complete recanalization of the superior sagittal sinus. Secondary outcomes included restoration of antegrade venous drainage and significant neurological improvement, evidenced by a Medical Research Council grade 4/5 and a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 at 34-day follow-up. No intraprocedural complications occurred, though secondary intracranial hypertension was noted.

A primary limitation is the off-label use of the NeVa stent retriever for the cerebral venous system. The authors suggest that higher mesh density may offer advantages for organized venous thrombi in large-caliber sinuses. Due to the single case report nature and lack of a comparative cohort, these findings are preliminary and cannot establish definitive clinical protocols.

How this fits prior evidence

This case report describes an off-label use of a stent retriever for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. It does not relate to previous coverage regarding oral contraceptive risks or benefits for ovarian cancer or breast cancer.

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.

What this means for you:
A specific stent retriever successfully cleared a brain vein clot, helping a patient return to normal life.

Common questions

What happened during the treatment?

Doctors performed a mechanical thrombectomy using a NeVa stent retriever. This procedure successfully cleared the blockage in the superior sagittal sinus, which is a major vein in the brain. It restored proper blood flow and helped the patient's neurological condition improve significantly within 34 days.

What were the risks or side effects?

During the procedure, there were no intraprocedural complications. However, the patient did experience secondary intracranial hypertension, which is a temporary increase in pressure inside the skull. Despite this, she showed significant improvement and reached a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 at her follow-up.

Is this treatment standard for all patients?

This was the first reported case using the NeVa stent retriever specifically for the cerebral venous system. Because it is an off-label use, you should talk to your doctor about whether specific types of stents or procedures are appropriate for a particular medical condition.

Study Details

Study typeGuideline
EvidenceLevel 5
PublishedJul 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) accounts for less than 1% of cerebrovascular events worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity; in severe or anticoagulation-refractory cases, mechanical thrombectomy is considered, yet no consensus exists on optimal device selection. We report the case of a 32-year-old woman with a history of migraine and oral contraceptive use who presented with sudden-onset headache on awakening, disorientation, and right hemiparesis, followed by focal seizures and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) progression from 3 to 7. Magnetic resonance venography confirmed extensive CVST involving the superior sagittal sinus and bilateral transverse and sigmoid sinuses. Mechanical thrombectomy was performed on hospital day 1 via a right jugular approach using a combined aspiration and NeVa stent retriever (5.5 × 37 mm) technique with a 6-second integration time; after six passes, near-complete recanalization of the superior sagittal sinus was achieved with restoration of antegrade venous drainage and no intraprocedural complications. The post-procedural course included neurological improvement (Medical Research Council grade 4/5) and secondary intracranial hypertension (opening pressure 33 cmH₂O), which was managed conservatively. The patient was discharged after 12 days of hospitalization, with a modified Rankin Scale score of 0 at the 34-day follow-up visit. To our knowledge, this represents the first report of off-label NeVa stent retriever use for thrombectomy in the cerebral venous system; the device's higher mesh density may theoretically offer advantages for organized venous thrombi in large-caliber sinuses, expanding therapeutic options where consensus on optimal technique remains elusive.
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