Clinical Features of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the predisposing factors for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), presenting patterns of the disease, imaging characteristics, types of treatment, and outcomes of patients.

Materials and Methods: Retrospectively, between April 2011 and September 2016 at Eskisehir Osmangazi Stroke Center, the demographic data, symptoms and findings, neuroimaging and laboratory findings of patients with CVST were collected. Additionally, predisposing factors for the disease, treatment strategies, and the neurologic functions of patients at discharge were examined.

Results: Thirty-one patients with CVST were included in the study, 25 of whom were female. The mean age of the patients was 43.7 years (standard deviation: 16.4; range, 22-78 years). The most common symptom was headache and the most common predisposing factors were pregnancy and puerperium. Also, transverse sinus was the most common thrombosed sinus. In the majority of patients (29/31, 93.6%), anticoagulation was applied and the Modified Rankin Scale score was 2 or below.

Conclusion: In this study, we detailed the characteristics of patients with CVST at our stroke center and contrary to previous knowledge, we showed that the outcomes of patients were good. However, to achieve more accurate conclusions about treatment strategies and outcomes, we need prospective studies with larger cohorts.