Mechanical thrombectomy for acute paradoxical cerebral embolism due to pulmonary arteriovenous malformation: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND: We report a case of acute occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) due to pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM), for which mechanical thrombectomy was performed and a good outcome was achieved. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 59-year-old woman presented with severe right hemiplegia and dysarthria, and a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 10. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diffusion-weighted imaging revealed high-signal areas in the left lenticular nucleus to the corona radiata, and right temporal lobe. Magnetic resonance angiography revealed the left MCA occlusion. Chest plain computed tomography (CT) revealed PAVM in the lower lobe of the left lung. Transvenous thrombolytic therapy was started 2 h after onset, and mechanical cerebral thrombectomy was performed with an aspiration catheter and stent retriever. A red thrombus was retrieved in one pass and complete recanalization was achieved. After treatment, her symptoms improved markedly, but a symptomatic intracerebral hematoma was observed in the contralateral right temporal lobe. The patient underwent embolization for PAVM on day 24 and was transferred for rehabilitation (NIHSS score = 2). CONCLUSION: Although rare, PAVM is a treatable cause of stroke in relatively young adults; thus, it is important to keep in mind the possibility of its presence.