Two cases of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis following chemotherapy for non-seminomatous germ cell tumor

Abstract

We report on two patients with cerebral sinus venous thrombosis following chemotherapy with cisplatin, bleomycin and etoposide for non-seminomatous germ cell tumor. Headache and neurological deficits were the leading symptoms. Cancer and cisplatin chemotherapy are well-known risk factors for thromboembolic events. The therapeutic strategy is an anticoagulant therapy. Symptoms are usually reversible within weeks under this therapy. Therefore, in patients with testicular cancer and chemotherapy who present with neurological symptoms, cerebral sinus venous thrombosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Keywords: Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis; Cisplatin; Germ cell tumor.

Fig. 1

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis in the superior sagittal sinus.

Fig. 2

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis in the right sigmoid and both transverse sinuses with bilateral venous congestion associated with cytotoxic edema within the precentral gyri.

Fig. 3

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis in the superior sagittal sinus, a subarachnoid hemorrhage in the right frontal region and the left precentral sulcus, with a hemorrhage in the right frontal lobe due to venous congestion.