Cerebral venous thrombosis: A comprehensive narrative review
Mosaad Almegren
Abstract
Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare cause of cerebral infarction, accounting for <1% of stroke cases worldwide. The pathophysiology of CVT is multifactorial, encompassing the direct effects of thrombosis, interference with the blood-brain barrier and development of cerebral edema. Several genetic and acquired risk factors of CVT have been identified, more recently this includes the pro-thrombotic effects of coronavirus disease of 2019 infection. CVT can present with wide variation of clinical characteristics, with headache being the most common clinical manifestation. Diagnosis is based on radiological imaging. The mainstay of CVT management is prompt initiation of anti-coagulation. Failure to recognize insidious symptoms of CVT, will lead to a delay in diagnosis and consequently treatment which eventually lead to significant complications, including neurological disability and death. The aim of this narrative review is to consolidate the existing knowledge on CVT, a rare condition with a challenging diagnosis and treatment.