Novel use of a double lumen balloon catheter for venous sinus thrombolysis and venoplasty

We describe the novel use of a double lumen balloon catheter for venous sinus thrombolysis and venoplasty. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare disease that is usually treated with medical anticoagulation. In certain refractory cases, surgical or endovascular thrombolysis and thrombectomy may be required. A 48 year-old man on anticoagulation for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis presented with nausea, vomiting and worsening hemiparesis. The patient underwent endovascular venous sinus thrombolysis and venoplasty with continuous in situ tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) infusion over 48 hours. This novel approach to the endovascular treatment of venous sinus thrombosis, including the use of a double lumen balloon was advantageous, as it allowed direct infusion of tPA through the balloon catheter without having to exchange the balloon for a microcatheter.