Concomitant central venous sinus thrombosis and subdural hematoma in acute promyelocytic leukemia: middle meningeal artery embolization enables safe anticoagulation. Illustrative case

Abstract

BACKGROUND Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has long been associated with coagulation disorders. The proposed mechanism is a combination of fibrinolysis, proteolysis, platelet dysfunction, thrombocytopenia, and possibly disseminated intravascular coagulation. Hemorrhagic complications are prominent. OBSERVATIONS In this case, a 25-year-old female with newly diagnosed APL developed extensive cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) and was initiated on a protocol with idarubicin and all-trans retinoic acid. The general recommendation for treating CVT is anticoagulation to stabilize the existing thrombus and prevent propagation. The patient was initiated on a heparin drip, but her clinical course was complicated by subdural hemorrhage (SDH) and epidural hemorrhage in the setting of thrombocytopenia. Anticoagulation was held, and her CVT propagated on follow-up imaging. To restart anticoagulation for CVT with a limited risk of SDH, the authors pursued middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization. The patient was transitioned to apixaban and discharged to home. LESSONS MMA embolization enables safe anticoagulation in patients with concomitant CVT and SDH. The authors report the complex clinical course and effective management of this rare clinical scenario.