Headache presenting as cerebral venous thrombosis associated with heterozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutation: A case report

Abstract

Headache is among the most common pain problems encountered by the primary care physician. Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is relatively rare in young adult males. Homocysteinemia is a significantly independent prothrombotic risk factor for atherogenic thrombotic cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and peripheral vascular diseases. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene mutation results in high serum homocysteine levels. Here, we report a 45-year-old male who presented with acute onset severe headache. Brain imaging showed thrombosis of superior sagittal sinus. The level of serum homocysteine was elevated and there was heterozygous CG677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene.

Keywords

• Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT)
• hyperhomocysteinemia
• methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)
• gene mutation
• secondary headache