Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in COVID 19 patients: Report of 2 cases

Abstract

Background: Initially, novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was considered primarily a respiratory pathogen. However, with time it has behaved as a virus with the potential to cause multi-system involvement, including neurological manifestations which varies from acute to subacute onset of headache, seizures, a decrease of consciousness, and paralysis. Case description: Two cases of cerebral sinus venous thrombosis in COVID-19 patients were reported, following respiratory disorders, which was triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The first patient, presented with a decrease in level of consciousness and hemiparesis, was 23 years old female having no history of previous medical co-morbidities. The latter case, 21 years old woman showed less severe presentations of COVID-19 associated with headache, vomiting and papilledema. These two cases marvellously improved with no neurological deficit with aggressive course of anticoagulation. Conclusion: CVST should be suspected in COVID-19 patients presenting with headache, paralysis, aphasia or seizures. The high mortality rate of CVST in COVID-19 infection warrants a high index of suspicion from physicians, and early treatment with anticoagulation should be initiated.

Keywords

• Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
• Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)
• Venous thrombotic events (VTE)
• Neurologic manifestations