Mechanical Venous Thrombectomy Using Indigo Aspiration System: A Case Report

We present a case of successful endovascular thrombectomy of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis utilizing Penumbra’s Indigo Aspiration System (Penumbra Inc., Place Alameda, CA), a minimally invasive system with a large-lumen (Indigo System CAT7, 7F) catheter predominantly used for the removal of thromboembolism involving the peripheral arterial and venous systems. A 30-year-old female presented with a seizure and focal neurological deficits and was found to have a left posterior temporal lobe hemorrhagic infarct secondary to an extensive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis extending from the left transverse sinus to the ipsilateral internal jugular bulb. We considered the combination of seizure, motor deficit, and hemorrhagic infarct high-risk features for poor response to standard medical therapy with therapeutic anticoagulation. Therefore, we performed a mechanical venous thrombectomy with the above device in addition to anticoagulation treatment with heparin infusion. This combination therapy resulted in a technically successful radiographic recanalization of the involved sinuses and an excellent functional outcome at follow-up. This case demonstrates that this trackable, atraumatic, large-bore system was safe and efficacious in the cerebral venous system, permitting near-complete thrombus removal.