All about Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain’s venous sinuses.

A clot blocks the blood flow in the brain’s venous sinuses. This prevents blood from draining out of the brain. Read on more about the medical condition in detail….

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) occurs when a blood clot forms in the brain’s venous sinuses. This  prevents blood from draining out of the brain. As a result, blood cells may break and leak blood into the brain tissues, forming a hemorrhage. This chain of events is part of a stroke that can occur in adults and children. It can occur even in newborns and babies in the womb. A stroke can damage the brain and central nervous system. A stroke is serious and requires immediate medical attention. This condition may also be called cerebral sinovenous thrombosis.

Causes of CVST 

CVST is a rare form of stroke. It affects about 5 people in 1 million each year. The risk for this kind of stroke in newborns is greatest during the first month. Overall, about 3 out of 300,000 children and teens up to age 18 will have a stroke.

Common causes and risk factors

• Certain infections
• Medications
• containing estrogen
• Pregnancy
• Dehydration
• Clotting disorders
• Cancer

Sometimes cause is unknown

Symptoms

Depends on the location and extent of blood clot. May include:

• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Fainting or loss
• of consciousness
• Loss of control over
• body part movements
• Seizures
• Coma

Complications may lead to brain injury or death

Diagnosis

Doctors typically take a medical history and do a physical exam. Family and friends can describe the symptoms they saw, especially if the person who had the stroke is unconscious. The final diagnosis, however, is usually made based on how the blood is flowing in the brain. Imaging tests show areas of blood flow. These tests may be used to diagnose venous sinus thrombosis:

• MRI scan
• CT scan
• Venography
• Angiography
• Ultrasound
• Blood tests

Treatment

Treatment should begin immediately and must be done in a hospital. It may include antiseizure medicine, anticoagulants, surgery, brain activity monitoring, rehabilitation

• Fluids
• Antibiotics, if an infection is present
• Antiseizure medicine to control seizures if they have occurred
• Monitoring and controlling the pressure inside the head
• Medicine called anticoagulants to stop the blood from clotting
• Surgery
• Continued monitoring of brain activity
• Measuring visual acuity and monitoring change
• Rehabilitation

Can CVST be prevented?

You can do a lot to prevent stroke by leading a heart healthy lifestyle:

• Eat a low-fat diet, including lots of fruits and vegetables.
• Get daily exercise.
• Avoid cigarette smoke.
• Control chronic health conditions, such as diabetes.

1. Blood collects into small veins (cerebral)
2. That drain into large veins (sinus)
3. Blood travels through arteries into brain
4. Jugular veins carry blood back to the heart 

Affects about 5 people in 1 million per year 

Children and adults have different risk factors

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