INTRACEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE AFTER TRANSCATHETER THROMBOLYSIS OF NON-OCCLUDING SUPERIOR MESENTERIC-ARTERY THROMBOSIS

We performed transcatheter thrombolysis on a 64-year-old man with non- occluding superior mesenteric artery (SMA) thrombosis because his seve re symptoms could not be controlled with medication. An enhanced compu ted tomography (CT) scan revealed intramural thrombosis in the SMA. We were concerned that the narrowing of the SMA lumen might progress to complete occlusion, resulting in a high likelihood of mortality. After dissolution of the SMA thrombosis, the original symptoms almost compl etely disappeared. However, intracranial hemorrhage occurred 8 hr afte r thrombolysis, requiring surgical intervention. Transcatheter thrombo lysis is thought to be a useful treatment for SMA thrombosis, especial ly in elderly patients with a high operative risk; however, the possib ility of intracerebral hemorrhage must be taken into consideration.