Cerebral Venous Thrombosis, A Retrospective Study of 14 Patients and Review of Literature

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral venous thrombosis is thrombosis of brain veins and sinuses which are due to prothrombotic process. They present with various neurological symptoms. The annual incidence is 3- 4/million. METHODS: Symptoms, demographic data, etiologic factors, clinical and radiological features of 14 consecutive patients between July 1st 2006 and July 1st 2008 with cerebral venous thrombosis are evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The study group comprised 4 men and 10 women. Their mean age was 44.2±19 years. Headache is the most frequent symptom, present in %92.8 of the patients. Papilloedema (50%), impairment of level of consciousness (14.3%), vertigo (14.3%), visual disturbances (14.3%) were the other symptoms. Eight patients were admitted just because of headache. Seven patients had one and seven patients had more than one sinus involvement. CONCLUSION: The incidence is rare but the outcome of this disorder is generally favourable if diagnosed. Cerebral venous thrombosis must be remembered in the differantial diagnosis of headaches of unknown etiologie

Keywords

• cerebral venous thrombosis
• clinical features
• etiology