A case of postpartum cerebral venous thrombosis

Abstract

Cerebral venous thrombosis, also known as cortical venous, cerebral sinus, cerebral venous sinus, or dural sinus thrombosis, results from clot formation in one of the many outflow tracts of the brain. Obstruction of flow causes venous hypertension, which is responsible for clinical findings associated with this condition. Signs and symptoms of cerebral venous thrombosis include headache, nausea, mental status changes, seizures, and focal neurologic deficits. Although cerebral venous thrombosis can occur at any time during life, women are particularly vulnerable before delivery and during the postpartum period because of the hypercoagulable state that accompanies pregnancy. This case study describes the challenging clinical course of one postpartum patient who developed venous thrombosis of the sagittal sinus.