Characteristics and Management of Autoimmune Disease-Associated Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Cerebral venous thrombosis as a rare complication of Sjögren's syndrome: case series and literature review

OBJECTIVE

As few cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) have been reported, little is known about the characteristics of this rare complication. This study is aimed at describing the clinical features, treatment, and outcome of CVT combined with pSS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reported five patients of CVT and pSS admitted to our hospital and searched the relevant case reports in PubMed for literature review.

RESULTS

We reviewed a total of twelve patients with pSS and CVT. Among them, five patients were from our report in the present paper, and seven other patients were from the case reports searched in PubMed. In total twelve patients, eleven patients were female. The twelve patients had an average age of 43.7 ± 8.3 years (age range, 26-57 years). The symptoms of pSS included multiple caries (50%), dry mouth (41.7%), dry eyes (33.3%), arthritis symptoms (16.7%), and parotid gland swelling (8.3%). Headache was the most common neurological symptom in all patients. Four patients (33.3%) had no clinical symptoms associated with pSS. Anti-SSA antibodies were positive in all patients. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) were positive in 33.3% of patients. Unilateral transverse sinus (75.0%) was the most commonly involved venous sinus. All patients received anticoagulant therapy. Hydroxychloroquine was also administered to the patients. Seven patients were treated with glucocorticoids. All patients recovered completely with no clinical or radiological recurrence.

CONCLUSION

pSS combined with CVT is a rare condition. Middle-aged women with pSS should be alert to the presence of CVT. It is of great importance to screen for autoimmune diseases during the clinical course of CVT, especially in patients with unilateral transverse sinus thrombosis. Effective treatment strategies require further study. Key Points • Patients combined with CVT are very rare. • Screening for autoimmune diseases in CVT patients is great important. • Patients may have good prognosis when effective treatment is administrated.

Rituximab induced cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a patient with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-antibody encephalitis: a case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis has not been reported in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-antibody encephalitis in the absence of an underlying thrombotic state while rituximab induced cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is rarely reported. We report a patient with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-antibody encephalitis without a prothrombotic state who developed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following rituximab treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 15-year-old Sri Lankan girl who had been in remission following an episode of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-antibody encephalitis 2 years ago, presented with a relapse of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-antibody encephalitis characterized by recurrent seizures, mutism, and cognitive abnormalities. Since response was inadequate to first-line immunotherapy, she was administered four doses of rituximab at weekly intervals. Two days after the fourth dose, she developed increasing headaches, and her cranial magnetic resonance venogram confirmed the development of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Screening for prothrombotic states were negative. She made an unremarkable recovery following anticoagulation.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the occurrence of the rare but serious complication of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following rituximab in the context of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-antibody encephalitis and informs the clinician to be wary of new onset headache in patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-antibody encephalitis treated with immunotherapy.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with JAK2 V617F mutation-related pre-primary myelofibrosis: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare but potentially life-threatening subtype of stroke. Prompt and appropriate anticoagulation is crucial for improving the prognosis of CVST and preventing its recurrence. Identifying the underlying cause of CVST is decisive for guiding anticoagulant selection and determining treatment duration.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 50-year-old man presented with a 35-day history of headache, nausea, vomiting, and blurred vision. Digital subtraction angiography performed at another facility revealed CVST. A contrast-enhanced black-blood MRI at our center confirmed the diagnosis, which was supported by a high intracranial pressure of 330mmH2O. Laboratory tests showed elevated leukocytes and platelet counts, raising suspicion of an underlying myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). A bone marrow biopsy demonstrated increased megakaryocytes and granulocytes, and genetic testing identified the presence of the Janus kinase 2 V617F (JAK2 V617F) mutation, leading to a diagnosis of pre-primary myelofibrosis (pre-PMF). During hospitalization, anticoagulation with nadroparin calcium and fibrinolytic therapy were initiated. Upon discharge, rivaroxaban and aspirin were prescribed to prevent CVST recurrence and arterial thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the importance of recognizing dynamic changes in routine blood tests that may link CVST to underlying hematological disorders. The JAK2 mutation is not only associated with MPNs but also increases the risk of thrombosis, including CVST. Further investigation is warranted to better understand the mechanisms by which JAK2 mutations contribute to thrombosis and to explore the potential benefits of JAK2 inhibitors in reducing this risk.

Bibliometric Analysis of the Composition of Landmark Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Research

Background

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) is a relatively rare type of stroke, accounting for less than 3% of all stroke cases, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in young females. However, when promptly diagnosed and treated, it can have favorable outcomes. Several knowledge gaps remain regarding pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of CVST, so critical assessment of past and present research could help close these gaps or establish targeted future research goals.

Methods

We screened Elsevier Scopus database articles with CVST as the primary topic. Clinical guidelines, abstracts, letters, and editorials were excluded. The top 100 articles, ordered by number of citations, were selected, and data collection and analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel, R software, and VOS viewer.

Results

Out of 4,832 documents, the top 100 most-cited articles spanned the years of 1973 to 2021 and had a total citation frequency of 18,208. France and the United States were the top-contributing countries, and Stroke had the highest number of manuscripts published in the top 100 (n=30). Analysis of word-use trends over time showed increases in the mention of "vaccination" since 2021, "mechanical thrombectomy" since 2017, and "fibrinolytic therapy" since 2015.

Conclusions

Our study detailed the 100 most-cited articles on CVST in the past 50 years. Understanding top-contributing countries, authors, and journals may help guide the direction of future research in CVST and encourage collaboration within the field. Areas of further research may include association with other pathologies (non-infectious and infectious) and advancements in acute therapies.

Alcohol Emergence: A Study on Various Risk Factors and Clinical Characteristics in Patients With Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis From a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India

Objective and aim Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare condition with significant morbidity and mortality risk involving the thrombosis of cerebral veins and dural sinuses. Its symptoms vary widely, ranging from headaches to focal neurological deficits, posing significant challenges to its diagnosis. Various contributing factors are involved in its etiology, some of which are gender specific. The clinical presentation varies widely and differs based on geographic distribution. This diversity makes CSVT challenging to diagnose, as it manifests in different ways and requires keen medical observation. Early detection is crucial for prognosis, as addressing the underlying cause can prevent further complications. This study aims to identify various causative factors and clinical presentations observed in individuals diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). Material and methods This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Neurology for a year, involving 55 patients admitted to the Neurology OPD/ER. Sample selection was done using non-probability convenience sampling. Patients aged 18 years or older presenting with symptoms indicative of CVST, confirmed by neuroimaging, were included in the study. Patients with arterial stroke, space-occupying lesions, and CVST related to pregnancy or puerperium were excluded. A detailed and structured medical history was obtained, and relevant blood investigations were conducted to find the underlying etiology. Results The study population had a mean age of 33 ± 2.04 years. The gender distribution is inclined towards 78.1% males due to the exclusion of pregnancy- or puerperium-related CVST to identify other predominant risk factors. 87.2% of the patients presented acutely, primarily with headaches (94.54%), and 67.2% had seizures within a week of admission. Prothrombotic conditions (45.4%) were the prevalent risk factor in the study group. Second, infections accounted for 21.8%. Alcoholism was seen in 52.7% of the study population, but its correlation with CVST remains unclear. The superior sagittal sinus (34.5%) and transverse sinus (20%) were commonly involved in neuroimaging, with multiple sinus involvement observed in some cases. Conclusion Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) presents with a wide range of symptoms, making diagnosis challenging. However, with modern imaging and lab tests, we can detect and treat it effectively, often with positive outcomes and minimal long-term effects. This study seeks to understand the risk factors associated with CVST, contributing to its diagnosis and management.

The genetic risk factors for cerebral venous thrombosis: a case-control study in a Chinese national comprehensive hospital

BACKGROUND

About 13-25% of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) cases lack clear etiology, which may be associated with underlying genetic factors. This study aims to investigate genetic factors in CVT patients using whole exome sequencing (WES).

METHODS

Thirty-eight CVT patients hospitalized underwent WES. 977 subjects with WES data from a community cohort study --the Shunyi cohort were as the control group. Using bioinformatics analysis, differential genes with rare damaging variants between two groups were filtered (P < 0.05). KEGG enrichment analysis was performed on the screened genes to identify pathways associated with CVT.

RESULTS

Through analysis of medical history, routine tests, and imaging examinations, the etiology of 38 patients: 8 cases of antiphospholipid syndrome, 6 cases with hematologic diseases, 3 cases of protein C deficiency, and 2 cases of protein S deficiency. Five cases occurred during pregnancy or puerperium, and 3 cases had a history of oral contraceptive use, and so on. The etiology was unknown in 12 cases (31.6%), and the etiology of 4 patients were further clarified through WES: F9 c.838 + 1_838 + 16del, Hemizygote: F9 EX1-EX7 Dup; CBS c.430G > A, CBS c.949 A > G; F2 c.1787G > A; SERPINC1 c.409-11G > T. Comparing the WES data of two groups, a total of 179 different genes with rare damaging variants were screened (P < 0.05), with 5 genes of interest (JAK2, C3, PROC, PROZ, SERPIND1). Enrichment analysis of the 179 different genes revealed the complement and coagulation pathway and the mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway were associated with CVT.

CONCLUSION

For CVT patients with unknown etiology, WES could help identify the cause of CVT early, which is of great significance for treatment decisions and prognosis. In addition to the complement and coagulation pathway, MAPK pathway is associated with CVT, potentially related to platelet regulation and inflammatory response.

Characteristics of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Due to Autoimmune Diseases: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study

OBJECTIVES

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a cerebrovascular disease characterized by thrombosis of the cerebral venous or dural sinuses. Autoimmune diseases (AD) are important causes of CVST. This study aims to reveal the differences between CVST associated with autoimmune diseases compared with other causes (OCs) and Behcet's syndrome (BS) compared with other ADs.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective study in which the medical records of 187 patients we followed with a diagnosis of CVST between 2008 and 2023 were collected retrospectively. Four neurologists collected data on initial symptoms, neurological examinations, and laboratory findings. Findings on magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography performed on all patients (thrombosis localizations, hemorrhagic or ischemic complications, and collateralization) were re-evaluated by 2 radiologists. The results were compared with AD, other ADs, and OCs groups.

RESULTS

There were 28 cases of CVST associated with AD. Of these, 18 were BS, and 10 were other AD. Subacute-chronic onset, headache, and transverse sinus involvement were more common in AD-related patients than in OCs. However, collateralization, venous infarction, hemorrhagic transformation, and bleeding were less common. BS-related patients had earlier age, more frequent transverse sinus, less frequent cortical vein thrombosis, and better collateralization than other ADs.

CONCLUSION

CVST is one of the rare complications in autoimmune diseases. It has a more subacute-chronic onset. Since headaches are more common, it is essential to make a differential diagnosis of CVST in autoimmune diseases with chronic headaches. Transverse sinus thrombosis is more common. Collateralization, venous infarction, and hemorrhagic transformation are less.

An Exploration of Anti-Inflammatory Therapy in Acute/Subacute Severe Cerebral Venous Thrombosis with Hereditary Protein C/S Deficiency: Case Series

Background

Inflammation was associated with the severity of severe cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) on admission and poor prognosis at discharge. Hereditary protein C/S deficiency (hereditary PCD/PSD) not only promotes thrombosis but also activates the inflammatory response, further inducing venous thrombosis. However, conventional treatments such as standard anticoagulant/endovascular therapy (EVT) do not seem to improve prognosis. Anti-inflammatory therapy may be a new way to treat the disease.

Methods

We enrolled five patients with acute/subacute severe CVT with hereditary PCD/PSD from January 2020 to July 2022. In addition to standard anticoagulant therapy, all of them were given short-term methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Neurological deficit, increased intracranial pressure, venous recanalization, serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inflammatory markers and adverse events were retrospectively described before and after treatment and at 6 months after discharge.

Results

Inflammatory indexes of all patients were significantly elevated on admission. After methylprednisolone pulse therapy, serum inflammatory indexes including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.043); platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.043); systemic immune inflammatory index (P=0.043); interleukin-6 (P=0.043) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (P=0.022) reduced dramatically compared with baseline. CSF inflammatory indexes had a decreasing trend compared with baseline (P>0.05). In terms of venous recanalization, one patient achieved complete recanalization, four patients obtained partial recanalization. Compared with baseline on admission, the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and intracranial pressure were all considerably lower at discharge (P=0.029, P=0.041 and P=0.017). At 6-month follow-up, NIHSS and mRS further declined. During hospitalization and 6-month follow-up, none of the five patients experienced severe steroid-related adverse effects such as recurrence of venous thrombosis, spontaneous fracture or osteonecrosis, and gastroduodenal ulcer.

Conclusion

Acute/subacute severe CVT with hereditary PCD/PSD has high levels of inflammation. In addition to conventional anticoagulant therapy, early anti-inflammatory therapy using steroids may be necessary. Nevertheless, substantial randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are required for further investigation.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis during Thyrotoxicosis: Case Report and Literature Update

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare cause of stroke, particularly in young adults. Several known thrombophilic conditions may lead to an increased CVT risk. Interestingly, few cases in the literature have reported an association between CVT and thyrotoxicosis. Here, we describe the case of a young woman with CVT and concomitant thyrotoxicosis, without any other known prothrombotic conditions. We also performed a literature review of CVT cases and hyperthyroidism, searching for all articles published in peer-reviewed journals. We identified 39 case reports/case series concerning patients with CVT associated with thyrotoxicosis, highlighting, in most cases, the association with additional known prothrombotic factors. We then discussed the possible mechanisms by which hyperthyroidism could underlie a pro-coagulative state resulting in CVT. Thyroid disease might be a more common prothrombotic risk factor than expected in determining CVT. However, in most cases, a coexistence of multiple risk factors was observed, suggesting a multifactorial genesis of the disorder. We hope that this work may alert clinicians to consider thyrotoxicosis as a potential risk factor for CVT, even in patients who apparently have no other pro-coagulative conditions.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with autoimmune disease, hematonosis or coronavirus disease 2019: Many familiar faces and some strangers

BACKGROUND

Cerebral venous thrombosis, a rare stroke, is characterized by neurological dysfunction caused by bleeding and/or infarction resulting from venous sinus thrombosis, the so-called venous stroke. Current guidelines recommend anticoagulants as first-line therapy in the treatment of venous stroke. With complicated causes of cerebral venous thrombosis, treatment is difficult, especially when combined with autoimmune diseases, blood diseases, and even COVID-19.

AIMS

This review summarizes the pathophysiological mechanisms, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and clinical prognosis of cerebral venous thrombosis combined with autoimmune diseases, blood diseases, or infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

A systematic understanding of particular risk factors that should not be neglected when unconventional cerebral venous thrombosis occurs and for a scientific understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical diagnosis, and treatment, thus contributing to knowledge on special types of venous stroke.

Endovascular treatment for severe cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in a patient with polycythemia vera and nephrotic syndrome: a case report

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare cerebrovascular disease that can occur at any age and generally has a good prognosis. Polycythemia vera and nephrotic syndrome are uncommon risk factors for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. A dilemma exists in the treatment of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with polycythemia vera and nephrotic syndrome, as some cases are refractory to first-line therapy. Here, we report a patient with CVST who presented with a generalized seizure and was found to have bilateral frontal lobe hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Brain magnetic resonance venography showed extensive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis extending from the superior sagittal sinus to the left internal jugular vein. Further testing revealed that the patient had polycythemia vera and nephrotic syndrome. Anticoagulation therapy had limited effects. He underwent endovascular intervention, including stent thrombectomy, intermediate catheter aspiration, balloon dilatation, and local intravenous thrombolysis, to achieve revascularization. After 9 months of follow-up, the patient had recovered well without any sequelae. This case shows that in patients with critical cerebral venous sinus thrombosis who fail to respond to anticoagulant therapy, stent thrombectomy combined with intermediate catheter aspiration, balloon dilation, and local thrombolysis may be a viable option. This strategy can quickly resolve venous sinus obstruction and improve the prognosis of patients with critical cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Case report: Coexistence of Labbe vein thrombosis and autoimmune encephalitis with two different antibodies

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune encephalitis well- known to pediatric neurologists. The characteristic combination of symptoms and detection of NMDA receptor antibody can confirm the diagnosis. Most children respond well to immunosuppressive therapy. Anti-GABAB receptor encephalitis usually occurs in adult patients. Most patients present clinically with symptoms of limbic encephalitis. Cases in pediatric patients are rare. Cerebral venous thrombosis also has a very low incidence in children without underlying diseases. Patients usually present with headaches, convulsions, and focal deficits. Anticoagulants are the first choice treatment. We report a boy initially diagnosed with Labbe vein thrombosis and later tested positive for both NMDA and GABAB receptors. Anticoagulants did not relieve the boy's symptoms, and immunosuppressive therapy achieved good results. The antibody titers were significantly reduced or even turned negative. Although the Labbe vein was not recanalized at four months follow-up, the brain lesion was significantly absorbed. We learn from this case that a child can be inflicted with cerebral venous thrombosis and autoimmune encephalitis simultaneously. Child patients respond well to treatment.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in a 17-Year-Old Female Patient: A Case Report

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare disorder predominantly affecting young women. Clinical presentation is not specific and varies depending on the location of the thrombus. The diagnosis requires clinical suspicion with confirmation by images. Guidelines for treatment recommend heparin during the acute phase even in patients with intraparenchymal hemorrhage. It is associated with a good prognosis when diagnosed and treated promptly. We present a case of CVT and intraparenchymal hemorrhage in a 17-year-old female with severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and altered mental status. The patient was diagnosed with CVT secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). She showed improvement after anticoagulation and corticosteroids.

Rare Causes of Cerebral Venus Sinus Thrombosis: A Systematic Review

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare manifestation of thrombosis commonly caused by thrombophilia, hormonal-related factors, non-cerebral malignancy, and hematologic diseases. The aim of this review was to identify and summarize rare CVST cases. Methods: A literature search of the Medline database was performed in November 2022. CVST cases of a common cause were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were extracted. Eligible cases were categorized into inflammatory, primary CNS tumors, post-operative/traumatic, and idiopathic groups to allow statistical group comparisons. Results: 76 cases were analyzed. Idiopathic CVST was most frequently reported followed by inflammatory, post-traumatic/operative and primary CNS tumor causes. The intracranial hemorrhage rate was 23.7% and it was found to increase in the inflammatory group (45.8%). Anticoagulation was used in the majority of cases and it was significantly related to better outcomes. A low rate of anticoagulation use (43.8%) was found among CVST cases in the post-operative/traumatic group. The overall mortality rate was 9.8%. 82.4% of patients showed significant early improvement. Conclusions: Most rare CVST cases were either of idiopathic or inflammatory origin. Interestingly, hemorrhage occurred often he idiopathic CVST cases. A low rate of anticoagulation use in neurosurgical CVST cases after trauma or head surgery was observed.

Cerebral Sinus Vein Thrombosis and Gender: A Not Entirely Casual Relationship

Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis (CSVT) is a relatively rare acute disorder of cerebral circulation, but it can potentially be associated with serious sequelae and a poor prognosis. The neurological manifestations associated with it are often not adequately taken into consideration given the extreme variability and nuances of its clinical presentation and given the need for radiological methods suitable for this type of diagnosis. CSVT is usually more common in women, but so far there are little data available in the literature on sex-specific characteristics regarding this pathology. CSVT is the result of multiple conditions and is therefore to be considered a multifactorial disease where at least one risk factor is present in over 80% of cases. From the literature, we learn that congenital or acquired prothrombotic states are to be considered extremely associated with the occurrence of an acute episode of CSVT and its recurrences. It is, therefore, necessary to fully know the origins and natural history of CSVT, in order to implement the diagnostic and therapeutic pathways of these neurological manifestations. In this report, we summarize the main causes of CSVT considering the possible influence of gender, bearing in mind that most of the causes listed above are pathological conditions closely linked to the female sex.

Clinical Values of Coagulation Factors X, XI, and XII in Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis During Perinatal State

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) has become a rare but potentially life-threatening condition in perinatal women. Early and rapid identification of CVST in pregnant women is a challenge for frontline clinical workers. In this study, 40 perinatal patients with CVST in our hospital were included in the five-year period, and 120 normal perinatal pregnant women in the obstetrics and gynecology department of our hospital were randomly enrolled in the five-year period as the control group, including 60 cases in pregnancy and puerperium. 5 mL of fasting venous blood was collected from puerperal CVST patients in the acute phase of onset (within 72 h of onset) and the recovery phase (fourth week of treatment). In the control group, 5 mL of fasting venous blood was collected. Coagulation factors X, XI, and XII, plasma D-Dimer were analyzed and compared. Coagulation factors X, XI, and XII in plasma of CVST patients were significantly increased compared with controls. Plasma coagulation factors X, XI, and XII and their combined detection (Union Model = 0.056 * FX: C + 0.046 * FXI: C + 0.081 * FXII: C) have diagnostic values for perinatal CVST. Plasma coagulation factors X, XI, and XII were significantly positively correlated with plasma D-dimer levels in perinatal CVST patients. Plasma coagulation factors X, XI, and XII have diagnostic values for perinatal CVST.

New insight into DAVF pathology—Clues from meningeal immunity

In recent years, with the current access in techniques, studies have significantly advanced the knowledge on meningeal immunity, revealing that the central nervous system (CNS) border acts as an immune landscape. The latest concept of meningeal immune system is a tertiary structure, which is a comprehensive overview of the meningeal immune system from macro to micro. We comprehensively reviewed recent advances in meningeal immunity, particularly the new understanding of the dural sinus and meningeal lymphatics. Moreover, based on the clues from the meningeal immunity, new insights were proposed into the dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) pathology, aiming to provide novel ideas for DAVF understanding.

Inflammation and Severe Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare type of venous thromboembolism (VTE). It is an important cause of stroke in young adults and children. Severe CVT, which is characterized by cerebral venous infarction or hemorrhage, seizures, or disturbance of consciousness, has more severe clinical manifestations and a worse prognosis. It is commonly believed that the onset of severe CVT gave credit to venous return disorder, with the underlying pathogenesis remaining unclear. There is increasing evidence suggesting that an inflammatory response is closely associated with the pathophysiology of severe CVT. Preclinical studies have identified the components of neuroinflammation, including microglia, astrocytes, and neutrophils. After CVT occurrence, microglia are activated and secrete cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α), which result in a series of brain injuries, including blood-brain barrier disruption, brain edema, and cerebral venous infarction. Additionally, astrocytes are activated at the initial CVT stage and may interact with microglia to exacerbate the inflammatory response. The extent of cerebral edema and neutrophil recruitment increases temporally in the acute phase. Further, there are also changes in the morphology of inflammatory cells, expression of inflammatory mediators, and inflammatory pathway molecules with CVT progression. Lately, some clinical research suggested that some inflammation-related biomarkers are of great value in assessing the course, severity, and prognosis of severe CVT. Moreover, basic and clinical research suggested that anti-inflammatory therapy might hold promise in severe CVT. This study reviews the current literature regarding the involvement of inflammation in the pathophysiology and anti-inflammatory interventions of severe CVT, which would contribute to informing the pathophysiology mechanism and laying a foundation for exploring novel severe CVT therapeutic strategies.