The changing face of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis-emerging new causes and treatments

Abstract

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon site of venous thromboembolism. CVST more commonly affects younger people and women, in stark contrast to other forms of venous thrombosis in which incidence increases with age and overall affects men. Traditional risk factors for the development of CVST include endogenous and exogenous estrogen (combined oral contraceptives and pregnancy and the puerperium), thrombophilias, and rare hematologic disorders. New and emerging risk factors include obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, COVID-19 infection, and vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis and vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis-like disorders. Management centers around anticoagulation, management of the underlying cause, and consideration of invasive measures including endovascular thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy and craniectomy for severe cases. This review discusses the emerging risk factors and their identification, evidence for treatment including the use of direct oral anticoagulants, and the role of invasive management options.

Keywords: cerebral venous sinus thrombosis; estrogen; polycystic ovary syndrome; vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis; venous thromboembolism.