Delayed Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in a Patient With Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension

Intracranial hypotension as a contributor to isolated cortical vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Isolated cortical vein thrombosis (ICVT), a rare type of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), is diagnostically challenging in some cases, and intracranial hypotension (IH) is known to cause CVT.

METHODS

In this study, we reviewed the clinical and imaging characteristics of ICVT in patients with IH caused by spinal cerebrospinal fluid leakage, based on a literature review and investigation of cases from our hospital.

RESULTS

Between January 1, 2007, and November 1, 2019, 735 patients were diagnosed with IH at our hospital; three patients developed ICVT (incidence ~ 0.4%, 3/735), and the literature review yielded an additional 23 cases. Therefore, 26 patients (mean age 35.9 ± 11.4 years old) were included in this study. The most common symptoms were headache (100.0%, 26/26), focal neurological deficits (53.8%, 14/26), and seizure (34.6%, 9/26). The initial headache was orthostatic in 96.2% (25/26) of patients, and 38.5% (10/26) of patients reported a change in the headache pattern following diagnosis of ICVT. Neuroimaging findings associated with ICVT included the cord sign (61.5%, 16/26) and parenchymal brain lesions (46.2%, 12/26), such as intracerebral hemorrhage (30.8%, 8/26), hemorrhagic infarcts (11.5%, 3/26), and localized edema (11.5%, 3/26). The percentage of patients who received anticoagulation and epidural blood patch therapy was similar (69.2% [18/26] vs. 65.4% [17/26]), and most patients recovered completely (92.3%, 24/26).

CONCLUSION

IH should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with ICVT. Knowledge of the relevant clinical and neuroimaging features is important to facilitate early diagnosis for favorable prognosis.

Cerebral venous thrombosis following spontaneous intracranial hypotension diagnosed by craniotomy: A case report and diagnostic pitfalls

Background:

Cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but important complication of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). The diagnosis is difficult in cases lacking typical symptoms and typical imaging findings.

Case Description:

A 29-year-old male patient with a seizure attack was admitted to our hospital. Based on the head imaging findings, we misdiagnosed the patient with primary cerebral parenchymal lesion and performed an open biopsy. However, during the procedure, the patient was diagnosed with low cerebrospinal fluid pressure and cerebral cortical vein thrombosis.

Conclusion:

Thus, CVT due to SIH should be considered as a probable cause of secondary parenchymal lesions.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in spontaneous intracranial hypotension: A report of 8 cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) raises difficult practical questions regarding the management of the two conditions. The first-line therapy for CVT is anticoagulation (AC); however, its potential benefit in SIH/CVT patients, especially if complicated by subdural haematoma, must be carefully evaluated taking account of the intracranial haemorrhage risk. Venous system recanalization and good prognosis in SIH/CVT patients treated with epidural blood patch (EBP), the main treatment option for SIH, have been already described.

METHODS

We reviewed our cases of SIH complicated by CVT among a cohort of 445 SIH patients observed and treated during the last years. All published case reports and case series reporting patients with SIH and CVT were also ascertained and reviewed.

RESULTS

Eight (2%) out of 445 patients suffering with SIH, were also diagnosed with CVT. All patients observed had orthostatic headache, three of them experienced a change in their headache pattern over the SIH course. Six out of eight patients received both AC and EBP treatments. Two patients were treated using only AC or EBP. A bilateral subdural haematoma enlargement after 1 month of AC was observed in one case. Complete CVT recanalization after treatment was obtained in three patients, including two with multiple CVT at baseline; partial CVT recanalization was achieved in two patients. Three patients experienced no CVT recanalization. After 6-48 months' follow-up all patients were still asymptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of AC therapy should be weighed against the intracranial haemorrage risk and should be monitored carefully if initiated. Effective and prompt EBP, even without AC therapy, might lead to a good prognosis in selected cases.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension associated with cerebral venous thrombosis detected by a sudden seizure: a case report

Background

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is rare but can lead to life-threatening complications including cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). The concurrence of CVT and SIH raises questions regarding priority.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 52-year-old woman who developed sudden left-sided hemiparesis and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. She experienced progressive orthostatic headaches over the prior 2 weeks. Imaging showed thrombosis in the left transverse and sigmoid sinuses, bilateral subdural hematomas, and a cervicothoracic cerebrospinal fluid leak. Low molecular weight heparin was administered, but it was discontinued 2 days later due to subarachnoid hemorrhage. She was transferred to our hospital where an epidural blood patch was applied immediately, which resulted in complete symptom relief.

Conclusion

CVT is a rare complication of SIH that may result in devastating consequences. Treatment of SIH should be the primary focus. Prompt diagnosis and EBP application can result in a good outcome.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Report on 4 Cases and a Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is a risk factor for cerebral venous thrombosis. The occurrence of cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension raises difficult practical questions regarding the management of the 2 conditions. We reviewed our experience and the relevant literature to evaluate these related questions.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied the medical records and imaging studies of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension at a tertiary center from January 2007 through January 2017. The main search strategy was a literature review of journal articles in PubMed (1966 to January 2017).

RESULTS

Among 374 patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, 4 were also diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis. A literature review yielded an additional 31 cases, including 21 men and 14 women with a mean age of 40.6 years. Of the 35 patients, 8 (22.8%) patients received anticoagulation therapy and epidural blood patch. Nineteen (54.3%) patients were given anticoagulant only. Seven (20%) patients were treated with epidural blood patch only. One (2.9%) patient did not receive epidural blood patch or anticoagulation therapy. There is no difference in terms of age, sex, diagnosis interval, association with other complications, and prognosis between the first 3 groups. Of the 19 patients who received anticoagulation therapy, 4 patients (21.1%) had intracranial hemorrhage or hematoma enlargement after anticoagulation, and one of these 4 patients died following further intracranial hemorrhage. Of the 8 patients who received both anticoagulation and epidural blood patch, 1 patient (12.5%, P = 0.528) developed subdural hematoma after anticoagulation. Of the 5 cases had intracranial hemorrhage aggravation after anticoagulation, 4 were subdural hematoma occurrence or enlargement.

CONCLUSION

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare but important complication of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. The primary focus of treatment should be the treatment of intracranial hypotension. It could be possible that anticoagulation might increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension, although a firm conclusion could not be drawn based on the limited number of patients currently available. The use of anticoagulation therapy should be prudent and should be monitored carefully if initiated.

Spontaneous occult intracranial hypotension precipitating life-threatening cerebral venous thrombosis: case report

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is an uncommon headache etiology, typically attributable to an unprovoked occult spinal CSF leak. Although frequently benign, serious complications may occur, including cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). The objective of this study was to examine a highly complicated case of CVT attributable to SIH as a lens for understanding the heterogeneous literature on this rare complication, and to provide useful, evidence-based, preliminary clinical recommendations. A 43-year-old man presented with 1 week of headache, dizziness, and nausea, which precipitously evolved to hemiplegia. CT venography confirmed CVT, and therapeutic heparin was initiated. He suffered a generalized seizure due to left parietal hemorrhage, which subsequently expanded. He developed signs of mass effect and herniation, heparin was discontinued, and he was taken to the operating room for clot evacuation and external ventricular drain placement. Intraoperatively, the dura was deflated, suggesting underlying SIH. Ventral T-1 CSF leak was identified, which failed multiple epidural blood patches and required primary repair. The patient ultimately made a complete recovery. Systematic review identified 29 publications describing 36 cases of SIH-associated CVT. Among 31 patients for whom long-term neurological outcome was reported, 25 (81%) recovered completely. Underlying coagulopathy/risk factors were identified in 11 patients (31%). CVT is a rare and potentially lethal sequela occurring in 2% of SIH cases. Awareness of the condition is poor, risking morbid complications. Evaluation and treatment should be directed toward identification and treatment of occult CSF leaks. Encouragingly, good neurological outcomes can be achieved through vigilant multidisciplinary neurosurgical and neurocritical care.

[Cerebral venous thrombosis]

There is ample evidence that arterial and venous links of the vascular bed are interrelated, with the venous part, as the highly organized reflexogenic zone, responsible for the development of complex reactions providing the stability of the cerebral blood flow. There is few publications devoted to the venous pathology of the brain however the prevalence of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is relatively high. The annual prevalence of CVT is 4-7 per 1 million of population. Timely recognition and early diagnosis of CVT are most important for successful treatment of patients. It can lead to effective therapy, decrease the consequences of this disease and the fatal outcomes. The review and systematization of the literature on the epidemiology, etiology, risk factors, clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment of CVT are presented.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in two patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension

Although few patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension develop cerebral venous thrombosis, the association between these two entities seems too common to be simply a coincidental finding. We describe two cases of spontaneous intracranial hypotension associated with cerebral venous thrombosis. In one case, extensive cerebral venous thrombosis involved the superior sagittal sinus and multiple cortical cerebral veins. In the other case, only a right frontoparietal cortical vein was involved. Several mechanisms could contribute to the development of cerebral venous thrombosis in spontaneous intracranial hypotension. When spontaneous intracranial hypotension and cerebral venous thrombosis occur together, it raises difficult practical questions about the treatment of these two conditions. In most reported cases, spontaneous intracranial hypotension was treated conservatively and cerebral venous thrombosis was treated with anticoagulation. However, we advocate aggressive treatment of the underlying cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis complicated by subdural hematomas: Case series and literature review

Background:

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) can cause elevated intracranial pressure, hemorrhagic venous infarct, and cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage. We present a case series and literature review to illustrate that CVST can also present with subdural hematoma (SDH).

Case Description:

Chart review was completed on a retrospective case series of CVST with spontaneous SDH. We also conducted a literature search. Over a 6 year interval, three patients with CVST and SDH were admitted to the neurointensive care unit. A 38-year-old woman had both SDH and a hemorrhagic venous infarct associated with a transverse sinus thrombosis. She was managed conservatively with long-term anticoagulation. A 68-year-old woman presented with an acute SDH requiring craniotomy and a thrombosed cortical vein was noted intraoperatively. Computed tomography venography showed thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus. She had polycythemia vera with the V617 Jak2 gene mutation and was managed with aspirin and hydroxyurea. A 60-year-old male had recurrence of a spontaneous convexity SDH requiring reoperation. Neuroimaging identified ipsilateral transverse sinus thrombosis with retrograde flow into the opposite sinus. Manometry demonstrated elevated venous pressures and these normalized after thrombectomy. Angiography performed after endovascular treatment demonstrated a normal venous drainage pattern. There have been limited reports of SDH complicating CVST in the literature.

Conclusion:

This case series and literature review demonstrates that CVST can also present with spontaneous SDH with or without associated venous infarctions. Treatment must be individualized. This is the first published description of endovascular thrombectomy for recurrent symptomatic SDH due to CVST.

A new thrombosis model of the superior sagittal sinus involving cortical veins

OBJECTIVE

Patients with cerebral sinus and cortical venous thrombosis develop venous infarcts in approximately 50% of cases, resulting in serious clinical symptoms. An animal model is needed to further clarify the underlying mechanisms and consequences surrounding cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, particularly for severe ones.

METHODS

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to develop a new superior sagittal sinus thrombosis model involving cortical veins. The superior sagittal sinus was exposed and ligated. A microcatheter was inserted into the sinus, then both common carotid arteries were temporary occluded to reduce cerebral blood flow, and thrombin was injected into the sinus. Twenty-four hours later, after evaluating neurological function and obtaining a magnetic resonance imaging, animals were sacrificed and data pertaining to brain water content, infarct volume, and tissue histology was collected.

RESULTS

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis and brain infarction were detected in all rats (100%). Hemorrhagic infarction, when present, and brain edema were observed in the brain parenchyma of the parietal lobe. The rate of hemorrhage was 59%, which is similar to that seen clinically in patients with superior sagittal sinus thrombosis. Brain edema, as measured by brain water content percentage, was significantly increased in thrombosed animals compared with sham-operated animals (80.8% ± 0.55% vs. 78.8% ± 0.14%, P < 0.05). Infarct volumes were 53.02 ± 7.91 mm(3).

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that our modified model of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis, involving cortical veins, is suitable for the study of its underlying mechanisms, as well as therapeutic approaches directed at the disease.

Diagnosis and management of cerebral venous thrombosis: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this statement is to provide an overview of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and to provide recommendations for its diagnosis, management, and treatment. The intended audience is physicians and other healthcare providers who are responsible for the diagnosis and management of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Members of the panel were appointed by the American Heart Association Stroke Council's Scientific Statement Oversight Committee and represent different areas of expertise. The panel reviewed the relevant literature with an emphasis on reports published since 1966 and used the American Heart Association levels-of-evidence grading algorithm to rate the evidence and to make recommendations. After approval of the statement by the panel, it underwent peer review and approval by the American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence-based recommendations are provided for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of recurrence of cerebral venous thrombosis. Recommendations on the evaluation and management of cerebral venous thrombosis during pregnancy and in the pediatric population are provided. Considerations for the management of clinical complications (seizures, hydrocephalus, intracranial hypertension, and neurological deterioration) are also summarized. An algorithm for diagnosis and management of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is described.