Mechanical Thrombectomy for Trousseau Syndrome in a Terminally Ill Cancer Patient

Abstract

Trousseau syndrome was first described by Armand Trousseau in 1865 and is characterized by hypercoagulation resulting from malignant tumors. This complication can markedly impact quality of life (QOL). This is the first report of a terminally ill patient who developed large-vessel occlusion stroke from Trousseau syndrome and underwent mechanical thrombectomy. A 75-year-old woman presented with Stage IV ovarian cancer. Goals of care were transitioned to palliative care. The patient was hospitalized with vertebral compression fracture and suddenly developed right hemiparesis and total aphasia during admission. Magnetic resonance imaging and angiography showed occlusion of Segment 1 of the left middle cerebral artery. We administered tissue-plasminogen activator, but symptoms remained unimproved. We performed mechanical thrombectomy based on medical indications and with the consent of her family. Thrombectomy improved symptoms dramatically. She was able to walk and talk with her family at discharge. She eventually died of respiratory failure on postoperative Day 98, but QOL remained high for those 98 days. Mechanical thrombectomy has the potential to markedly improve QOL in terminally ill patients with large-vessel occlusion associated with Trousseau syndrome.

Keywords: Mechanical thrombectomy; Trousseau syndrome; aggressive care; end of life; ovarian cancer; quality of life; supportive care; terminally ill.