Clinical presentations of cerebral vein and sinus thrombosis

Abstract

Intracranial venous thrombosis may occur at any time from infancy to old age and its clinical expression varies widely and sometimes it may present without focal signs. The most common symptoms are: headache, vomiting, transient or persistent visual obscuration, focal or generalized seizures, lethargy and coma, while papilledema is a common sign. There may also be alternating focal deficits, hemiparesis or paraparesis, or other focal neurological deficits depending on the location of the venous structures involved. Symptom onset is either acute, subacute or chronic. Even with a severe initial presentation, partial or complete recovery is possible, underlying the importance of early recognition. Antithrombotic treatment must be administered at diagnosis as soon as possible.