Imaging characteristics of two patients with isolated cortical venous thrombosis☆

Over the past twenty years, improvements in neuroimaging have greatly improved the ability to diagnose cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, as well as isolated cortical venous thrombosis. Neuroimaging allows for variations to be detected in the cortical vein and venous sinus. Diagnosis of thromboses in the venous system should not depend entirely on angiography of undeveloped veins or venous sinus. Currently, the combination of magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography is the gold standard for diagnosing cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, rather than digital subtraction angiography. This article summarizes clinical manifestations, results from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in two cases of isolated cortical venous thrombosis, analyzed relevant literature, and discussed the clinical and imaging characteristics of isolated cortical venous thromboses.     

Cerebral cortical and deep venous thrombosis without sinus thrombosis: clinical MRI correlates

BACKGROUND: Cortical and/or deep vein thrombosis (CDVT) without dural sinus involvement is uncommon and presents diagnostic difficulty for many reasons. Our aim is to determine the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical findings in patients with CDVT. METHODS: Forty-six patients with venous stroke proved on MRI included in our Registry, corresponding to 0.1% of 4650 patients with stroke, were studied. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed in all patients, and 18 of them had follow-up MRA. Outcome was evaluated by using the Glasgow Outcome Scale at the time of discharge and during follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients presented cortical venous stroke; 21 of them had involvement of the dorsomedial venous system, six had a defect in the posteroinferior venous group, and five had a defect in the anteroinferior venous group. Thirteen patients presented simultaneous involvement of the superficial and deep venous system; seven with a defect in the parietal and internal cerebral veins (three with involvement of vein of Gallen), four with a defect in the temporooccipital (vein of Labbé) and basal vein of Rosenthal, two with a deficit in the anterior frontotemporal and uncal-pterygoid venous system. One patient had deep venous thrombosis primarily localized to the thalami bilaterally and the basal ganglia on the right because of occlusion of the thalamostriate veins. The main presenting symptoms of CDVT were headache, focal neurologic signs, partial complex or secondary generalized seizures, and consciousness disturbances in those with deep venous thrombosis, presented alone or in combination at onset. CDVT was more than twofold more frequent in women than in men. Pregnancy, puerperium, oral contraceptive use, and infections were the most common predisposing factors. CONCLUSION: Computerized tomography, conventional MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging showing ischemic and/or hemorrhagic lesion that does not follow the boundary of classical arterial boundaries without signs of sinus thrombosis, and partial or generalized seizures followed by focal neurologic signs may predict CDVT. The outcome of patients with cortical venous stroke was good, but not in those with cortical plus deep venous infarction.     

脑静脉窦血栓形成的临床及影像学特点

目的 探讨脑静脉窦血栓形成(CVST)的临床及影像学特点.方法 回顾性分析9例确诊的CVST患者的临床资料.结果 9例患者有不同程度的头痛、恶心、呕吐,5例癫(癎)发作,出现发热、视盘水肿、局灶性神经功能缺损及意识障碍各为3例.9例脑脊液检查显示压力明显增高,但常规生化均正常.影像学检查:8例行头颅CT检查,但均未能明确诊断;9例头颅MRI检查,早期显示受累静脉窦内及相关脑区斑片状、条索状长T1、长T2信号影;MRV检查示受累的静脉窦不显影或显影不清;慢性期MRI表现为T1、T2均为稍高信号条索状影;MRV示静脉窦显影,未完全再通时显示轮廓欠清.结论 CVST常见颅内压增高等非特异性临床表现,脑脊液压力增高而无常规生化异常;MRI出现静脉窦正常流空效应消失,代之以异常等或高信号影;MRV特征为受累静脉窦血流信号不规则或完全消失.     

颅内静脉窦血栓形成患者纤维蛋白原D-二聚体与预后的相关性

目的探讨静脉窦血栓形成(CVST)患者纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体与短期预后的关系。方法选取CVST患者56例为CVST组,检测血浆纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体,并与50例健康者(对照组)作对照。按改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分,将CVST患者再分为预后良好组和预后不良组,并对比2组纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体水平。结果静脉窦血栓形成患者组D-D、Fbg分别为(316.37±14.59)ng/mL、(4.96±1.27)g/L,均显著高于对照组;预后良好组D-D、Fbg分别为(289.34±22.37)ng/mL、(4.58±1.16)g/L,均显著低于CVST预后不良组。结论血浆纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体对于CVST的诊断和短期预后判断有重要临床价值。     

A hypofibrinolytic state in overweight patients with cerebral venous thrombosis and isolated intracranial hypertension

Evidence suggests that isolated intracranial hypertension (iIH) is often associated with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). In eight patients referred to our Institution for iIH who were later shown to harbor CVT we have performed a comprehensive coagulation work-up, including genetic tests for inherited predisposition to thrombophilia, to clarify the etiology of sinus venous thrombosis. All subjects were women. All but one were overweight. There were high plasma concentrations of D dimer, thrombin-antithrombin complexes or prothrombin fragments 1 and 2, further supporting the neuroimaging diagnosis of CVT. Importantly, seven of eight cases had a raised level of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, a well known inhibitor of fibrinolysis related to obesity. Tissue plasminogen activator levels were elevated accordingly. Factor V gene mutation was present in one subject, and the 20210 prothrombin gene mutation was found in another individual. Three patients had elevated plasmatic levels of homocysteine. In conclusion, the present study provides solid evidence that impaired fibrinolysis probably related to overweight, acting in concert with other prothrombotic abnormalities, is involved in the pathogenesis of CVT presenting as iIH. Received: 27 April 1999 Received in revised form: 18 June 1999 Accepted: 24 June 1999     

Performance of two relatively new quantitative D-dimer assays (Innovance D-dimer and AxSYM D-dimer) for the exclusion of deep vein thrombosis

Introduction

D-dimer assays are now widely used as the first-line test in the diagnostic algorithm of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of two relatively new quantitative D-Dimer assays (Innovance™ and AxSYM®) by comparison with a clinical gold standard.

Patients and methods

311 samples from outpatients with clinical suspicion of DVT, included in a prospective management study, was analysed (prevalence of DVT 23%). The diagnostic workup included estimation of pre-test probability, D-dimer determination, objective imaging as well as 3 month clinical follow up of negative patients.

Results

No significant differences were seen in sensitivity and negative predictive values between Innovance, AxSYM and the reference assays. The area under the ROC curve was slightly lower for the AxSYM assay and the correlation to the reference assays was only moderate (r < 0.8) whereas the agreement with the Vidas assay was near excellent (κ = 0.8). The Innovance assay reached the highest AUC, showed a strong correlation with the reference assays (r ≥ 0.9) and a good agreement with the Vidas assay (κ = 0.76). In combination with a low pre-test probability score the Innovance assay reached a NPV of 100% (95% CI, 92-100) and the AxSYM assay 98% (95% CI, 87-100).

Conclusion

The Innovance and AxSYM assays show an overall good and comparable performance for the exclusion of DVT when compared to the established assays. Our results for the AxSYM assay indicate that the optimal cut-off value needs to be further evaluated.     

颅内静脉窦血栓形成后昏迷患者预后相关因素研究

目的探讨影响颅内静脉窦血栓形成(CVST)后昏迷患者预后的相关因索。 方法对梧州市工人医院神经内科自2001年2月至2010年2月收治的以昏迷就诊或在入院6h内出现不同程度昏迷的30例CVST患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。 结果随访0.5～10年,本组患者中12例无明显颅内压增高、脑深静脉血栓及相关脑血管意外,8例死亡,2例重残,8例遗留不同程度的偏瘫或智力语言障碍。CVST后昏迷患者伴有中枢神经系统感染、恶性肿瘤、脑深静脉血栓形成、癫痫及颅内出血等改变时患者预后差,其中恶性肿瘤患者重残或死亡率高达50％。 结论CVST后发生昏迷的患者预后差,病死率高,及早诊治并合理治疗有助于改善预后。     

脑静脉窦血栓形成合并出血性脑卒中临床分析

目的 分析脑静脉窦血栓形成合并出血性脑卒中的诊断与治疗方法.方法 10例脑静脉窦血栓形成合并出血性脑卒中病人,CT常规头部OM基线扫描,颅底层厚5 mm,颅内层面10 mm,间距510 mm,共12～14幅图象.MRI常规T1WI、T2 WI及MRV序列扫描,根据病变范围扫描层数为19～20层,4例患者行增强扫描;所有患者入院后行血常规及生化检查,所有患者均给予甘露醇静滴脱水降颅压,低分子肝素钙针(5 000 U皮下注射,2次/d,)皮下注射抗凝,控制活化部分凝血酶原时间,延长2倍且不超过120 s,每日监测至少2次、并予营养神经药物、尼莫地平预防脑血管痉挛、支持对症治疗及护理.低分子肝素钙针应用1周后改为阿司匹林片口服.结果 脑静脉窦血栓形成合并出血性脑卒中临床较为少见,临床表现以急性严重头痛多见,出血部位常位于大脑凸面,静脉窦累及以矢状窦、乙状窦、横窦.10例患者给予相应的抗凝与综合治疗后,有效率为100％.结论 脑静脉窦血栓形成合并出血性脑卒中,临床表现不典型,急性严重头痛和静脉窦累及矢状窦、乙状窦、横窦出血是诊断的线索,抗凝治疗应根据病情进行.     

Cerebral venous thrombosis caused by spontaneous intracranial hypotension: two cases

The association of spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is rare. We are reporting two new cases. In one case, CVT is extensive concerning three sinuses and bilateral parietal cortical veins and, in the other case, only a cortical vein is involved. Both the patients presented had no thrombosis risk factors. There is certainly a link between these two pathologies. SIH should be considered as a risk factor of CVT. Modification of symptoms of SIH leading to CVT must be known to start early treatment.     

Cerebral venous thrombosis in COVID-19-associated coagulopathy: A case report

COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and is ongoing pandemic. While a majority of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection shows asymptomatic or mild disease, hospitalized patients can develop critical condition, such as pneumonia, sepsis, and respiratory failure. Some cases deteriorate into sever systemic disease and multiorgan failure. Many patients of severe COVID-19 show hypercoagulable state and complicate with venous thromboembolism and atrial thrombosis. We herein reported a case of COVID-19 who developed cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) co-incidence with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). A 56-year-old Japanese man was presented with fever and malaise and diagnosed with COVID-19. He was treated with ciclesonide and azithromycin, but his respiratory condition deteriorated. Thus, systemic corticosteroids and favipiravir were initiated and these treatments resulted in afebrile state, improving malaise and respiratory failure. However, he suddenly developed severe headache and vomiting with increased concentration of D-dimer. Brain CT and MRI showed typical images of CVT in the left transvers sinus and CT pulmonary angiography showed PE. Administration of unfractionated heparin followed by edoxaban treatment reduced the levels of D-dimer and improved his clinical presentation and thrombosis. Monitoring coagulopathy is important in COVID-19 patients and in case of venous thromboembolism, including cerebral venous system, appropriate anticoagulant therapy should be initiated.     

单纯大脑皮层静脉血栓形成2例及文献回顾分析

目的总结分析单纯大脑皮层静脉血栓形成(isolated cortical vein thrombosis,ICoVT)的病例特点。方法报道2例ICoVT病例,并回顾文献报道的47例同类病例,分析其病因、临床影像学特征以及治疗预后。结果 49例患者多为中青年,女性多见;多为急性或亚急性起病;临床表现主要为癫痫发作33例(67.3%)、局灶性神经功能缺损症状22例(44.8%)、头痛19例(38.8%),首发症状以癫痫发作最多(21例,42.8%),大多数不伴有意识障碍和颅内高压症状;影像学检查可有不同程度地显示皮层静脉血栓的直接征象和间接征象;大多数患者经抗凝治疗后预后良好。结论 ICoVT临床和影像表现变异较大,仔细分析影像资料以及多种影像检查手段相结合可以提高诊断的准确率,临床上充分重视并给予抗凝治疗。     

颅内静脉窦血栓形成的临床及影像学诊断25例报道

目的 研究颅内静脉窦血栓形成的病因、临床特点、特别是影像学的表现。方法 回顾性分析25例已确诊的静脉窦血栓形成患者（男2例,女23例）的临床资料及影像学特点,包括发病原因、临床表现、实验室检查及影像学头部CT、磁共振成像（MRI）和磁共振血管成像（MRA）的异常表现。结果 25例本病患者除2例男性外,余23例均有明确病因,如妊娠期、产褥期、口服避孕药等,临床表现以亚急性颅压高症状为主;部分头部CT可见条索征及空三征,MRI特征性表现为T1、T2加权像窦内异常高信号,MRA示栓塞的静脉窦未显影。结论 颅内静脉窦血栓形成患者多可找到明确病因,临床表现多样,无特异性,MRI/MRA可帮助确诊。     

Cerebral venous thrombosis in four patients with multiple sclerosis

We report four new cases of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) occurring in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Each patient had undergone lumbar puncture at varying times prior to clinical presentation (4 days to over 1 year). Only two of the patients had received intravenous (i.v.) methylprednisolone 48 h prior to CVT and were under oral contraception, a risk factor for cerebral thrombophlebitis. The other two patients had not undergone recent lumbar puncture, were not taking corticosteroids and did not present vascular risk factors. The patients all had normal routine blood work-ups and none had thrombophilia. All patients dramatically improved with full systemic heparinization. Minor sequelae were noticed in two patients. The pathogenesis underlying the occurrence of CVT in MS patients remains unclear and we discuss the relationship between lumbar puncture, steroid treatment and CVT.     

Risk of thromboembolism after cerebral venous thrombosis

The outcome of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has been studied infrequently. We assessed the frequency of recurrence of cerebral or systemic thromboembolism and factors influencing recurrence. We performed a retrospective study of consecutive patients with CVT in the period 1985-2002 who were admitted to the University Hospital Gasthuisberg. We performed a chart review and a semi-standardized telephone interview that focused on recurrent CVT or systemic thromboembolism. Fifty-four CVT patients with a mean age of 42 years were followed up for a mean of 3.5 years. Eighty percent were women. Coagulation disorders were found in 17 patients (31%). One patient (1.9%) had recurrent CVT and seven patients (12.9%) suffered systemic thromboembolism after a median of 2.5 months. Patients with recurrent thromboembolism more often had coagulopathies (P = 0.04) or a history of deep venous thrombosis (P = 0.007). Patients with early recurrent venous thromboembolism often were not treated with oral anticoagulants (P < 0.001). It was evident from the above study that a substantial number of patients suffer recurrent thromboembolism after CVT.     

Incidental Diagnosis of Cerebral Cortical Venous Thrombosis in Postdural Puncture Headache on Brain Computed Tomography

Diagnosis of cerebral cortical venous thrombosis in patients with postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is usually secondary to changes in headache pattern or cerebral infarctions. Nevertheless, incidental discovery of asymptomatic forms on brain imaging has never been reported before and its management thus remains ill‐defined. We describe 2 cases of patients with asymptomatic cortical vein thrombosis in the context of PDPH. In both cases, brain computed tomography (CT) scans showed an isolated cortical vein thrombosis without cerebral damage. Neurological examination revealed the typical orthostatic feature of PDPH, independently of cortical vein thrombosis which was considered as a radiological incidental finding. Clinical and radiological signs resolved after bed rest, oral caffeine, and anticoagulation therapy. Asymptomatic cortical vein thrombosis may be found on radiological exploration, even basic like brain CT scan without contrast, of PDPH. Utility of anticoagulation therapy, which could increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhagic complications in this specific context, has to be assessed.     

成人缺铁性贫血合并脑静脉血栓形成的临床特点及诊治

目的 探讨成人缺铁性贫血合并脑静脉血栓形成的临床特点及诊治。方法 对成人缺铁性贫血合并脑静脉血栓形成的临床特点及诊治进行回顾分析,并复习相关文献。结果 本研究报道的4例缺铁性贫血合并脑静脉血栓形成的患者均为女性,年龄33～47岁,缺铁性贫血的原因均为月经过多,其中1位33岁女性同时合并节食。4例患者否认肿瘤、凝血异常、自身免疫病、甲状腺功能异常病史,否认近期服用避孕药物、近期胃肠手术史及相关家族史等,筛查肿瘤、凝血功能、自身免疫、甲状腺功能等检查未见异常。4例患者均补铁治疗,2例患者经抗凝治疗后症状缓解,1例患者行支架治疗,1例患者经抗凝治疗后视力下降无缓解,予静脉支架置入术后症状未再进展。4例患者经补铁,抗凝或支架治疗后除1例抗凝治疗效果不佳未及时行支架术的患者预后差外,余3例均预后良好,未遗留神经系统症状。结论 缺铁性贫血为脑静脉血栓形成的可能原因之一,对于缺铁性性贫血患者,特别是女性患者如出现头痛,视物模糊等症状时,需注意并发脑静脉血栓形成的可能,如果能早期诊断,积极治疗,预后良好     

脑静脉窦血栓形成并发癫痫的常见临床表现及其发病的预测因素

目的调查脑静脉窦血栓形成(CVST)后癫痫的发病率、临床表现形式和预测因素。方法2010年1月到2015年1月本院神经科住院CVST的患者90例。按有无继发癫痫,将90例CVST患者分为两组,通过病例报道表收集患者的人口学信息,症状和体征,以及辅助检查结果脑电图(EEG)、磁共振(MRI)和全脑血管造影(DSA)和诊断治疗方法,对是否并发癫痫进行单因素分析和多因素分析。应用受试者工作曲线(ROC)的曲线下面积(AUC)评价多因素模型,并和CVST预后量表的预测价值相比较。结果 CVST继发癫痫的发病率为34.4%,单因素分析显示,孕妇或产褥期(χ~2=5.517,P=0.019)、视物模糊(χ~2=6.103,P=0.013)、意识障碍(χ~2=32.505,P0.001)、脑出血(χ~2=4.822,P=0.028)、上矢状窦血栓形成(χ~2=5.908,P=0.015),以及横窦血栓形成(χ~2=6.669,P=0.010),在是否并发癫痫两组中比较差异有统计学意义。多因素分析显示,孕妇或产褥期(OR=3.64,95%CI 1.65~8.53)、脑出血(OR=3.02,95%CI 1.43~6.18),以及上矢状窦血栓形成(OR=1.98,95%CI 1.23~4.36)是CVST继发癫痫的独立危险因素。本研究预测模型的预测准确性AUC为0.73(95%CI 0.63~0.81,P0.05),CVST预后量表AUC为0.78(95%CI 0.65~0.86,P0.05),两模型的预测价值差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论癫痫是CVST患者的常见临床表现,孕妇或产褥期,脑出血和上矢状窦血栓形成是CVST并发癫痫的独立危险因素。本研究预测模型和CVST预后量表能较好的预测是否继发癫痫。     

Comparative evaluation of 2D time-of-flight and 3D elliptic centric contrast-enhanced MR venography in patients with presumptive cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis

We retrospectively evaluated an elliptic centric ordered 3D (ec 3D) magnetic resonance venography (MRV) technique in comparison to 2D time-of-flight (2D TOF) MRV in patients with presumptive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). Twenty-five patients (mean age 40.6 ± 16.5 years) with presumptive CVST underwent cerebral MRI including 2D TOF and ec 3D MRV. Radiologic findings and clinical outcome were correlated. MRV studies were evaluated by two neuroradiologists in a blinded manner for image quality, assessment of various sinus, internal cerebral veins (ICV), vein of Labbé and Galen (VL/VG) as well as for additional imaging procedures required. Sensitivity/specificity of ec 3D MRV amounted to 85.7%/97.2% as compared with 2D TOF 71.4%/55.6 %. Ec 3D MRV performed superior in terms of image quality as well as assessment of all sinus and veins except for the straight sinus. Additional imaging procedures were less often required in ec 3D MRV studies (28% vs. 66% for 2D TOF MRV; P  < 0.001). Interobserver agreement was significantly increased by using ec 3D MRV (93.1% vs. 70.9% of readings). The results of our study provide additional evidence for the superiority of ec 3D compared with 2D TOF MR venography for the diagnosis or exclusion of acute CVST in daily clinical practice.