The clinical spectrum of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Abstract

Introduction. Cerebral Venous Thrombosis has a highly variable clinical presentation. Four major syndromes had been described in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis: isolated intracranial hyper­tension, focal neurological deficits, focal or generalized seizures and disturbances of consciousness and cognitive dysfunction. Method. We describe five consecutive patients admitted to our service with a diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis, highlighting the different possibilities of clinical presentation and prognosis. Discussion. The diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis should be considered in pa­tients with acute, subacute or chronic headache, with or without signs of intracranial hypertension or focal deficits, even in the absence of cerebrovascular risk factors. Treatment should be started as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed and consists of reversal of the underlying cause when known, control of seizures and intracranial hypertension, and antithrombotic therapy.