An Unusual Presentation of Cerebral Vein Thrombosis: A 40-Year-Old Woman with Acute Intractable Cervical Pain and Lateral Neck Bending

Abstract

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon but fatal type of stroke with a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms. We report a 40-year-old woman who presented with acute intractable neck pain and lateral cervical bending. Investigations with neuroimaging revealed evidence of thrombosis in her right transverse and sigmoid sinuses. The precipitating factors for the thrombosis were consumption of oral contraceptive pills during the month of Ramadan, and dehydration due to fasting. The patient immediately was treated with the therapeutic dose of anticoagulant. We concluded that in patients with severe cervical pain, especially those who are predisposed to thrombotic complications, CVT should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Keywords

• Venous thrombosis
• Neck pain
• Oral contraceptives
• Cranial sinuses