Temporal Profile of CT and T2*-Weighted Gradient-Echo MRI in a Patient with Unilateral Thalamostriate Vein Thrombosis

Deep cerebral venous system thrombosis (DCVST) is an uncommon variety of thrombosis that accounts for 11% of cases of cerebral venous thrombosis. Thalamostriate vein (TSV) thrombosis is further rare among patients with DCVST. Although patients with cerebral venous thrombosis commonly have characteristic neurological deficits including headache, deterioration of consciousness, and seizures, patients with DCVST do not necessarily show such symptoms. Therefore, diagnose of DCVST is sometimes difficult. Here we report a case of TSV thrombosis with a unilateral basal ganglion lesion presenting with right-sided hemiparesis. A 61-year-old Japanese female was referred to our hospital. On neurological examination, she had no headache but presented with right facial paresis with dysarthria. Her right hemiparesis was present in the upper and lower extremities. We repeatedly performed brain computed tomography (CT) and T2*-weighted conventional gradient-echo (GRE) magnetic resonance imaging, and conclusively diagnosed as left TSV thrombosis. We firstly report a case of unilateral DCVST associated with TSV thrombosis in which a temporal profile of CT and T2*-weighted GRE images was obtained. Although DCVST is a rare clinical entity, physicians should be aware that repeated radiological observations can be useful for the diagnosis and early medical treatment for DCVST.     

Clinical features,course and outcome in deep cerebral venous system thrombosis: an analysis of 32 cases

Deep cerebral venous system thrombosis (DCVST) is a rare variety of cerebral vein and sinus thrombosis (CVST), therefore clinical information regarding presentation, course and outcome are limited. In this two-center study including 32 patients, we tried to better define symptoms, neuroradiological findings, course, and outcome in DCVST. All consecutive patients with DCVST admitted to our two institutions over a period of more than 10 years were identified from prospective registries on CVST and stroke patients. Data from the registries were confirmed and complemented by retrospective analysis of patients’ charts and neuroradiological imaging. Only patients with an unequivocal diagnosis of DCVST confirmed by MRI and MRA were included. Information on long-term functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS; ability to return to work) was obtained by telephone interviews performed between 2006 and 2008. The clinical presentation was highly variable with headache (81%) and reduced consciousness (72%) as the most frequent symptoms. In nine patients (28%) thrombosis was confined to the deep venous system (isolated DCVST). In the remaining patients other sinuses and/or cortical veins were additionally affected (non-isolated DCVST). Diagnosis was made within one to 76 days (mean = 10.0 ± 14.1 days) but was significantly delayed in patients with isolated compared to non-isolated DCVST (19.1 ± 23.0 vs. 6.3 ± 6.5 days, P = 0.02). Thalamic edema was the most frequent parenchymal MRI finding present in 69% of patients, bilateral in 47%. d-dimer levels were normal in 13% of patients. Most patients (75%) stabilized and later improved on intravenous heparin or subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin. Eight (25%) patients deteriorated with progressing coma; six of them received local endovascular therapy but two died. After a mean follow-up of 3.8 years (range 3 months–13 years), 26 patients (81%) were functionally independent (mRS ≤ 2) including 24 patients (75%) with a mRS ≤ 1 of whom 23 (96%) returned to their previous job, activity or education. No patients were severely disabled (mRS 4–5). Extension of thrombosis beyond the deep venous system had no effect on outcome. Due to its variable clinical presentation the diagnosis of DCVST is often difficult and heparin treatment therefore established with substantial delay. While most patients stabilize and have a good recovery, progressing coma associated with poor outcome is seen in a subset of patients who may thus require other treatment options, such as endovascular therapy.     

颅内静脉窦血栓形成14例

目的探讨颅内静脉窦血栓形成的早期诊断与治疗。方法回顾性分析2005年1月-2010年1月来我院就诊的14名颅内静脉窦血栓形成患者的病因、临床表现、影像学、诊断、治疗和预后。结果 14例患者中表现为头痛的有12例,伴有呕吐者2例,癫疒间发作者5例,伴有意识障碍者6例,伴有肢体瘫痪2例,伴有失语者1例。所有患者MRV均提示静脉窦显影不佳或不显影。给予抗凝治疗后,出院时9例症状好转,4例复诊痊愈,1例死亡。结论颅内静脉窦血栓形成(CVST)临床表现多样,缺乏特异性,诊断依赖影像学检查,特别是血管成像,抗凝是首选治疗。     

Prolonged direct catheter thrombolysis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in children: a case series

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare condition with potentially devastating neurologic outcome--death and severe disability are common in advanced cases. In adults, protocols for mechanical clot disruption and direct thrombolysis are established; no guidance exists for children. We present our experience of 6 children with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and ominous clinical progression. We found that effective thrombolysis required substantially longer infusion, more rounds of mechanical disruption, and higher doses of thrombolytics than are commonly practiced. Despite pervasive thrombosis, prethrombolysis hemorrhage, coma, and other predictors of death and disability, our patients survived and 4 of 6 had no functional deficits. One patient had moderate, and one had severe deficits. We report these cases to illustrate that hemorrhage may not be a contraindication to thrombolysis for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, that prolonged infusion may be required to restore perfusion, and that good neurologic outcomes can be achieved despite dire clinical presentations and extensive sinus thrombosis.     

脑静脉窦血栓形成15例分析

目的 探讨和研究脑静脉窦血栓形成(CVT)的早期诊断和治疗方法。方法 回顾性分析,15例CVT病人的临床资料,就其临床表现、影像学特征、脑脊液检查、治疗与预后,结合文献进行分析。结果 (1)年龄在19～52岁;(2)急性或亚急性起病;(3)早期表现为头痛(87％)、呕吐(60％)、视力障碍(33％),伴或不伴局灶性神经功能缺损;(4)影像学表现为静脉窦闭塞及局限性脑梗死(67％),其中20％伴有出血;(5)颅压明显升高,脑脊液白细胞及蛋白定量正常或升高;(6)病因治疗及脱水、抗凝、溶栓等治疗效果好。结论 对临床以颅内压增高为主要表现、伴或不伴有脑局灶性症状、体征的年轻病人,应考虑到CVT,及时行MRI或MRA检查,早期明确诊断,尽早治疗,抗凝治疗为其首选方法。     

孕产妇脑静脉窦及静脉血栓形成的早期诊断及误诊分析

脑静脉窦及静脉血栓形成(cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis,CVST)是缺血性脑血管病的特殊类型,好发于妊娠期和产褥期的孕产妇。发病率低,起病隐匿,临床表现错综复杂,易于误诊、漏诊,死亡率、致残率高,但早期诊断和干预则预后良好。本文重点就孕产妇CVST的早期诊断及误诊相关研究做一综述,以促进临床医师及早识别危险预警,避免误诊,早期诊断,及时干预。     

脑静脉窦血栓形成的诊断与血管内治疗

目的 探讨脑静脉窦血栓形成的诊断和血管内溶栓治疗。方法 对8例以顽固性头痛、呕吐伴或不伴局灶性神经功能缺损或癫发作为主要表现的患者，采用颅脑MRI和脑血管造影检查确定诊断，并施行经颈内动脉、静脉窦内接触性溶栓或静脉窦内支架成形术协同抗凝治疗。结果 MRI显示相应脑静脉窦区出现长T2WI，短T1WI信号，DSA显示脑静脉窦闭塞、静脉侧支循环建立和脑动静脉循环时间延长。治疗后静脉窦完全或部分再通，脑循环时间接近正常，临床病情显著缓解。结论 血管内介入治疗可能是脑静脉窦血栓形成最有效的治疗方法之一，有待大样本研究证实。     

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。     

Cerebral venous thrombosis: a young woman case study

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a rare, serious cerebrovascular disease with poor prognosis. It can be a sequel to various coagulation disturbances, head injuries or local inflammations. We report a case of a young woman with no risk factors detected, who developed a massive cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. She had progressively worsening symptoms, including left hemiplegia, aphasia, tonic-clonic seizures and unconsciousness. The diagnosis was supported by CT, MRI and angio-MRI findings. The intensive i.v. heparin and streptokinase treatment, as well as antibiotics, resulted in full remission of all patient's symptoms. The case emphasizes the necessity of early diagnosis and management of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.     

外伤性脑静脉窦血栓的临床诊治

目的 探讨外伤性脑静脉窦血栓的诊治方法。方法 对近两年来临床工作中发现的27例外伤性脑静脉窦血栓患者资料进行回顾性分析。所有病例均采用核磁共振成像（MRV）证实，行尿激酶静脉溶栓治疗，首齐20万U，每日增加5万U。最大剂量达100万U。结果 19例再通，7例建立侧支循环，1例死亡。结论 对临床工作中出现的腰穿颅内压大于300mm H20的病例、跨窦骨折的病例、病情平稳后又出现反复（如头痛加剧、呕吐等）而复查头颅CT无异常的病例，应高度怀疑脑静脉窦或深静脉血栓形成。MRV成像是脑静脉安或深静脉血栓诊断的首选方法。     

The clinical spectrum of intracerebral hematoma, hemorrhagic infarct, non-hemorrhagic infarct, and non-lesional venous stroke in patients with cerebral sinus-venous thrombosis

Background and purpose: The clinical spectrum of different neuroradiological features of cerebral sinus–venous thrombosis (CSVT) varies considerably. We sought the relationship between different neuroradiological aspects and clinical presentations in these patients. Methods: The diagnosis of cerebral sinus–venous thrombosis has been confirmed by conventional angiography, MRI combined with MR venography following established diagnostic criteria. We analyzed clinical data, symptoms and signs, imaging findings, location and extent of the thrombus, and parenchymal lesions, retrospectively. Results: There were 220 consecutive patients with cerebral sinus–venous thrombosis; 98 (45%) had non‐lesional sinus–venous thrombosis (NL CSVT), 51 (23%) had non‐hemorrhagic infarct (NHI), 45 (20%) had hemorrhagic infarct (HI), and 26 (12%) had intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In patients with hemorrhagic lesion (HI+ICH), advanced age, headache (99%), behavioral disturbances (55%), consciousness disturbances (35%), seizures (41%), and language deficits (42%) were significantly higher than the other patients (NL+NHI) (P < 0.001). High blood pressure at admission, puerperium, sigmoid and straight sinus thrombosis, multiple sinus and vein involvement were more frequent in patients with hemorrhagic lesion than those with non‐hemorrhagic lesion. Patients with hemorrhagic lesion were more dependent or died (32%) than the other patients (12%) (P < 0.001), and most of the patients with NL and NHI had no disability compared with the other patients at the 3 month of follow‐up (96% and 65%; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Headache, convulsion, behavioral disorder, seizures, and speech disorders were the most frequent clinical symptoms of patients with hemorrhagic CSVT. Specific risk factors, including pregnancy/puerberium, early and extended thrombosis of large sinus, and presence of high blood pressure at admission, are associated with hemorrhagic lesion and unfavorable outcome.     

Dural sinus thrombosis: a mechanism-based classification and review of 42 cases

Cranial venous outflow obstruction due to dural sinus thrombosis may result in venous hypertension, cerebral infarction, cerebral haemorrhage or impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) absorption with consequent pseudotumour syndrome. We propose a mechanism based classification of dural sinus thrombosis from these four outcomes. Forty two cases of dural sinus thrombosis presenting to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital between 1986-1997 were retrospectively reviewed. These cases were classified according to mechanism of presentation and relevance of this to site of thrombosis, treatment and prognosis. This study shows that the superior sagittal sinus and transverse sinus are the commonest sites of thrombosis, and multiple sites of thrombosis (69%) are more frequent than a single site. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with venous flow studies is the investigation of first choice for diagnosis but angiography remains the gold standard. A pseudotumour syndrome is the commonest presentation (43%) followed by cerebral haemorrhage (31%). The overall prognosis for sinus thrombosis is good, with 71% of cases recovering to normal function.     

脑静脉窦血栓形成的MR诊断及MRV的应用

目的探讨脑静脉窦血栓形成（cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, CVST）的MR征象及磁共振脑静脉系血管成像（magnetic resonance venography, MRV）的技术方法。方法4例脑静脉窦血栓形成患者,男2例,女2例,年龄32～51岁,全部经常规MRI及MRV检查,2例患者行增强扫描,全部患者经DSA检查证实。结果4例患者平扫SE序列均可见静脉窦内正常流空信号消失,代之以异常等或高信号。出血性脑梗死3例;广泛脑肿胀及脑水肿1例。MR增强可见静脉窦异常低信号或闭塞;对比增强磁共振血管造影检查（contrast enhanced magnatic resonance venography, CE-MRV）见受累静脉窦腔内血流信号不规则或信号完全消失。结论MRI结合3D-CE-MRA是诊断脑静脉窦血栓形成的有效手段。     

Unruptured dural arteriovenous malformation of the transverse-sigmoid sinus presenting with focal symptoms and coma

We are presenting the case of a 63 year-old man with a dural arteriovenous malformation of the transverse sigmoid sinus who developed focal deficits followed by less localized symptoms such a disorientation, lethargy and eventually comatose status. Initial cerebral angiography showed retrograde filling of the cortical and deep cerebral venous system with marked delay in venous empting. Following embolization clinical symptoms completely cleared at the time that control angiography showed retrograde venous flow turning anterograde. Patient's symptoms recurred four months later when there was a relapse of retrograde cerebral venous drainage at the time he developed thrombosis of the superior longitudinal and right transverse sinuses. Sinus thrombosis and thrombosis of the central retinal artery were coincidental with hypercoagulability related to hyperhomocysteinemia. Since control angiography still showed persistence of the AV shunting radical excision of the involved dural sinuses was performed. The final outcome was excellent. The physiopathological mechanism responsible for neurological deficits in our patient most likely was ischemia of venous origin secondary to venous hypertension resulting from retrograde cerebral venous drainage. The clinical and angiographic presentation in few similar cases reported in the literature is reviewed.     

Cerebral venous thrombosis in young adults

We report a series of nine patients younger than 45 years with angiographically-documented cerebral venous thrombosis, consecutively referred to our Stroke Unit from 1988 to 1994. Two of them were men and seven women. Eight patients initially complained of headache, often associated with other symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Seven patients had focal motor deficits and four suffered from epileptic seizures. None of the patients died. Only one patient remained severely disabled, whereas the others recovered self-sufficiency within two months. The use of oral contraceptives was closely associated with the occurrence of venous thrombosis in the women. Cerebral venous thrombosis is to be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of stroke in the young.     

A case of deep cerebral venous thrombosis with sudden convulsion after delivery]

A 25-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of convulsions after delivering a baby. Her neurological examination revealed a disturbance of consciousness and weakness in both arms. A brain magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI) showed thrombosis of the left transverse sinus and many patchy high signals at bilateral basal ganglia and subcortical areas. A digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) of the brain revealed a defect at the left transverse sinus, congestion of the cerebral venous flow at the vein of Galen and vasospastic changes at both posterior cerebral arteries. After treating the patient with a venous infusion of heparin, nicardipine and phenytoin, her neurological deficits improved within a day. When MRI and DSA were repeated 2 weeks later, the abnormal lesions had disappeared. These findings suggest that venous thrombosis and vasospasm had the pathogenesis of eclampsia in this case.     

A case of cerebral deep venous and venous sinus thromboses with anti-cardiolipin antibody]

We describe a case of cerebral deep venous and venous sinus thromboses with anti-cardiolipin antibody. A 62-year-old male with no previous illness of thrombosis but with alcohol abuse was admitted with acute onset unconsciousness. He recovered two days after with no severe sequela. Laboratory findings suggested the preceding conditions of dehydration and inflammation. X-ray CT of the head revealed symmetrical low density areas in the thalami and basal ganglia, high density signs in the cerebral deep veins, and dilation of the lateral ventricles. MRI on the second hospital day showed abnormal intensities in the thalami and basal ganglia (high signal on T 2-weighed and FLAIR image, low signals on T 1-weighed image, but almost isointensity on diffusion weighed image) and acute to subacute phase thrombus in the superior sagittal sinus. Abnormal intensities observed on MRI disappeared gradually in the following studies. Venous phase images of cerebral angiography performed in chronic phase disclosed occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus and stenosis of the vein of Galen. These radiological findings support the diagnosis of cerebral deep vein and venous sinus thromboses. Hematological examination revealed positive anti-cardiolipin IgG antibody. Several cases of cerebral deep venous thrombosis with anti-cardiolipin antibody have been reported. In our case, dehydration induced by alcohol abuse would have been the trigger of thrombosis, while the existence of anti-cardiolipin antibody might contribute to the risk of thrombosis as an underlying condition.     

脑静脉窦血栓形成的影像学表现及脑实质病变预测

目的总结脑静脉窦血栓形成(CVST)患者的临床和MRI表现特征并探讨继发脑实质病变的预测因素。方法回顾57例CVST患者的临床及头颅MRI资料,分析患者MRI表现特征,并对临床及影像学指标进行对比分析。结果57例患者中男22例,女35例,年龄15~72岁(平均35岁)。临床症状头痛29例,癫痫发作11例,感觉变化8例,局灶性神经功能缺损9例;头颅MRI示静脉窦血栓形成部位上矢状窦9例,横窦2例,乙状窦1例,直窦1例,其中同时累及2个或2个以上静脉窦44例。静脉窦血栓伴发脑实质病变36例,其中出血性静脉梗死20例,非出血性静脉梗死12例,脑实质内出血4例。对伴和不伴脑实质病变2组患者的对比分析显示,伴脑实质病变组女性比例明显高于不伴脑实质病变组;伴脑实质病变组癫痫、感觉异常及局部神经功能缺损症状发生率均明显高于不伴脑实质病变组;伴脑实质病变组直窦血栓的发生率明显高于不伴脑实质病变组(P<0.05)。结论MRI可清楚显示CVST的直接及间接征象,通过分析CVST患者的临床和静脉窦血栓表现特征还可帮助预测严重的脑实质病变发生风险。     

Diabetic ketoacidosis presenting as a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is an uncommon condition with a variable clinical presentation, often resulting in a delayed diagnosis. The most common risk factors are pregnancy and puerperium, oral contraceptive use, head injury, dehydration, blood dyscrasias, malignancies, and systemic diseases. We present a nineteen-year-old female in whom a superior sagittal sinus thrombosis was caused by dehydration during diabetic ketoacidosis and led to the diagnosis of new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus. To our knowledge this is the first published report of a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in association with diabetic ketoacidosis in an adult.     

颅内静脉系统血栓形成的临床特征与疗效分析

目的 探讨颅内静脉系统血栓形成的临床特征以及治疗原则.方法 分析14例颅内静脉系统血栓形成患者的发病年龄、发病形式、临床表现、影像学特征、脑脊液检查结果,并比较阿加曲班和低分子肝素对神经功能改善程度及预后的影响.结果 颅内静脉系统血栓形成可见于任何年龄段,中青年女性多见,以妊娠、感染、免疫性疾病等为常见发病原因.急性或...