Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis

Abstract

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare phenomenon that can be seen with some frequency in young patients. CSVT is a multifactorial condition with gender-related specific causes, with a wide clinical presentation, the leading causes differ between developed and developing countries, converting CSVT in a condition characterized by a highly variable clinical spectra, difficult diagnosis, variable etiologies and prognosis that requires fine medical skills and a high suspicious index. Patients who presents with CSVT should underwent to CT-scan venography (CVT) and to the proper inquiry of the generating cause. This disease can affect the cerebral venous drainage and related anatomical structure. The symptoms may appear in relation to increased intracranial pressure imitating a pseudotumorcerebri. Prognosis depends on the early detection. Correcting the cause, generally the complications can be prevented. Mortality trends have diminished, and with the new technologies, surely it will continue. This work aims to review current knowledge about CSVT including its pathogenesis, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.

Keywords: Brain; cerebral embolism and thrombosis; cerebral sinus venous thrombosis; cerebrovascular disease; neurosurgery; sinus thrombosis.

Figure 1

3D-MIP (reformatted by 2D-TOF) sequence of a 40-year-old female patient with CSVT. Sequence obtained after 2 months does not show changes at the level of straight sinus; the transverse sinus is still absent of flow near the confluence of the sinuses.