Thrombosis as the First Manifestation of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis Disease in an Adolescent

Background. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis disease (GPA) is a rare vasculitis characterized by granulomatous inflammation of respiratory tracts, glomerulonephritis, and vasculitis of other organs. Case Presentation. A 13-year-old girl was referred due to swelling and pain on her left arm. The Doppler and compression ultrasonography showed noncompressible left brachial and axillary vein thrombosis. Sinus computed tomography (CT) demonstrated pansinusitis, and spiral chest CT showed alveolar hemorrhage. Laboratory tests showed hematuria, proteinuria, and highly positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (cANCA). Laboratory tests of coagulopathy were normal. The patient was recognized as a case of GPA. Conclusion. Although GPA is not frequently associated with thrombosis especially in children, this is the first report that shows thrombosis may be the first manifestation of GPA in an adolescent.

Characteristics of Symptomatic Axillary Vein Thrombosis After Placement of Totally Implanted Venous Access Port in Cancer Patients

Background: The incidence of venous thrombosis based on access route after implantation of the totally implanted venous access port (TIVAP) is controversial. Symptomatic TIVAP-related venous thrombosis remains relatively rare. However, characteristics of symptomatic axillary vein thrombosis after TIVAP implantation via access of the axillary vein has not been reported. Objectives: In this historical cohort study, the incidence and characteristics of venous thrombosis associated with TIVAP via the axillary vein in cancer patients were evaluated. Patients and Methods: A total of 4,773 TIVAPs were placed via the axillary vein in patients with various types of cancer between May 2012 and July 2018. Eighteen patients experienced symptomatic venous thrombosis associated with TIVAPs. Radiologic findings for venous thrombosis were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) including scans of the axillary vein. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The prevalence of symptomatic thrombosis was 0.38% (18/4,773). The patients with symptomatic venous thrombosis included 14 males and four females. Among the 18 patients, the most common types of cancer were lung cancer (n = 7) and pancreatic cancer (n = 4), with the incidence rates of 0.79% (lung cancer, 7/882) and 1.58% (pancreatic cancer, 4/253), respectively. The median time between placement of the TIVAP and diagnosis of thrombosis was 35.5 days (range: 6 - 292 days). All symptomatic patients had thrombosis in the axillary vein on CT images. Symptoms were improved in all patients with treatment including removal of TIVAP at the time of diagnosis and following anticoagulation therapy. From the multiple binary logistic regression, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer were statistically significant risk factors of symptomatic axillary vein thrombosis. Conclusion: After insertion of TIVAPs through the axillary vein, symptomatic axillary vein thrombosis rarely developed. Pancreatic cancer and lung cancer were associated with the risk of symptomatic axillary vein thrombosis.

Axillary vein thrombosis in COVID positive patient with midline and continuous positive airway pressure Helmet

We describe the case of a coronavirus disease patient with midline who, during ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure helmet with underarm fastening straps, presented thrombosis of the axillary vein in the armpit. The tip of the midline ended in the armpit. The thrombosis has been resolved with anticoagulant therapy with low molecular weight heparin of 100 IU/kg bid without giving pulmonary embolism. In an emergency context like this, the need to resort to ventilation strategies even in departments generally not accustomed to the use of these devices and to the management of this type of patients, the need to use and adapt the available material (e.g. being unable to renounce to use underarm fastening straps) obliges us to consider the use of alternative strategies also in the field of vascular access. After this case, we began to consider techniques that allow us to prevent the catheter from ending in the armpit, with benefit. It is essential to continue to observe this patient.