[Diagnosis of isolated pulmonary arterio-venous fístula using contrast transcranial Doppler].
We report the case of a young patient with an ischemic stroke due to a paradoxical embolism through a giant isolated pulmonary arterio-venous fistula and review the literature of similar cases. We argue that the use of contrast transcranial Doppler (c-TCD) may well help in redressing the likely situation of underdiagnosis of this condition. C-TCD is reliable and sensitive in the diagnosis of right-to-left shunt and allows us to suspect pulmonary arterio-venous fistula as the underlying mechanism. Furthermore, the qualities of non-invasiveness, ease of use, precision, reliability and inexpensiveness of c-TCD make it the ideal tool for checking the success of surgical or endovascular treatment and subsequent follow-ups.
Aguirregomozcorta
M
M
Sección de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Dr. Josep Trueta, Girona. maria6478@yahoo.es
Ustrell
X
X
Ramió-Torrentà
L L
LL
Serena
J
J
D000328:Adult; D001164:Arteriovenous Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial
D003287:Contrast Media