BACKGROUND: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare form of stroke. Although increased intracranial pressure is a well-described complication of CVST, hydrocephalus has rarely been reported. CASE: We present the case of a 49-year-old woman who presented with one week of headache, vomiting, and progressive neurologic deterioration leading to coma. Head CT and MRI identified extensive CVST and accompanying hydrocephalus. She was treated with systemic anticoagulation as well as mechanical and pharmacologic endovascular thrombolysis. An external ventricular drain (EVD) was not inserted given the potential bleeding risk while anticoagulated. Subsequently, she made an excellent recovery and had a normal neurologic exam at long-term follow up. CONCLUSION: Hydrocephalus is a rare complication of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Treatment of hydrocephalus with an EVD may not be necessary if interventions are undertaken to urgently recanalize thrombosed venous sinuses.
BACKGROUND:Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare form of stroke. Although increased intracranial pressure is a well-described complication of CVST, hydrocephalus has rarely been reported. CASE: We present the case of a 49-year-old woman who presented with one week of headache, vomiting, and progressive neurologic deterioration leading to coma. Head CT and MRI identified extensive CVST and accompanying hydrocephalus. She was treated with systemic anticoagulation as well as mechanical and pharmacologic endovascular thrombolysis. An external ventricular drain (EVD) was not inserted given the potential bleeding risk while anticoagulated. Subsequently, she made an excellent recovery and had a normal neurologic exam at long-term follow up. CONCLUSION:Hydrocephalus is a rare complication of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Treatment of hydrocephalus with an EVD may not be necessary if interventions are undertaken to urgently recanalize thrombosed venous sinuses.
Authors: José M Ferro; Patrícia Canhão; Jan Stam; Marie-Germaine Bousser; Fernando Barinagarrementeria Journal: Stroke Date: 2004-02-19 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: Susanna M Zuurbier; René van den Berg; Dirk Troost; Charles B Majoie; Jan Stam; Jonathan M Coutinho Journal: J Neurol Date: 2015-02-07 Impact factor: 4.849