Anabolic Steroid Abuse in Gym Enthusiasts – An Under-Recognized Cause of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Abstract

Anabolic steroid use is constantly increasing, especially among athletes and gym enthusiasts. Of the many dangers of this rampant drug abuse is a hypercoagulable state predisposing to cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Androgen abuse for bodybuilding or increasing muscle mass is an under-recognized cause of CVT in young males. We report one such case, which highlights that awareness regarding the dangers of androgen abuse needs to be propagated, and a careful history of androgen abuse is mandatory in young adults presenting with CVT.

Keywords

• CVT
• gym enthusiasts
• steroid abuse