Saudi Journal of Medicine (SJM)
Volume-3 | Issue-12 | 691-695
Original Research Article
Clinical Profile and Radiological Features in Cerebral Sinus Venous Thrombosis
Ranjith Kumar Polusani, K. Naresh
Published : Dec. 30, 2018
Abstract
Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis is a very common condition and it is an important cause of stroke especially in the peripartum setting and is one of the common causes of stroke in young patients. The present study has been undertaken to describe the clinical profile, diagnosis, and prognosis of CSVT. Methods: This cross-sectional prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagunoor, Karimnagar. Based on the diagnosis 50 patients were included in the study, meticulous history, clinical examination, laboratory investigations including complete blood count, ESR, RBS, serum urea, serum creatinine, LFT, serum electrolytes, Urine electrolytes, ECG, CSF analysis were done in addition to imagining of the brain. Results: Out of 50 patients 25(50%) belong to the puerperal group and 25 (50%) belong to a non-puerperal group. Out of 25 non-puerperal patients 5 were female and 20 were male patients. The 25 puerperal cases the CSVT was seen in 18 cases in the first 10 days post-parturition and 5 cases were between 11-20 days and 1 case each of 21 -30 days and > 30 days were seen. In the present study, 24 (48%) of CSVT had a sub-acute presentation followed by 18 cases (36%) with an acute presentation. The clinical signs were hemiparesis and papilledema in 20(40%) of cases and pallor in 16(32%) and dysphasia was in 9(18%) of cases. In the study out of 50 patients, 17 were anemic, accounting for 34% and the mortality was higher when the degree of anemia was severe. Anticoagulant therapy with subcutaneous LMWH in 33 cases and intravenous unfractionated heparin infusion in 17 cases and later changed to oral anticoagulants. 5 patients required decompressive craniotomy out of which 1 patient died. Additional treatment included antiepileptics in 33 patients and anti-edema measures in 38 patients. Conclusion: CSVT is not an uncommon condition. Clinical presentation is extremely varied and symptoms may evolve over hours to few weeks. Neuroimaging plays a pivotal role in diagnosis MRI with MRV is the current diagnostic modality of choice. Management with unfractionated heparin, LMWH, and oral anticoagulation is appropriate. Surgical decompression is helpful in the cases of continuing deterioration, in spite of maximum medical management