Cerebral venous thrombosis: an unexpected complication from spinal surgery

Superior Sagittal Sinus Thrombosis in a Patient With Iatrogenic Intracranial Hypotension: A Case Report

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rarely reported complication of iatrogenic intracranial hypotension. We discuss a rare case of a 46-year-old woman presenting with a week-long history of severe orthostatic headaches two weeks following L4-L5 microscopic discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation. Computed tomography venography of the head revealed evidence of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis while contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed signs of intracranial hypotension consisting of pachymeningeal enhancement, bilateral subdural hygromas, enlarged pituitary gland, effacement of the basal ambient cisterns, and low-lying cerebellar tonsils. Additional lumbar spine imaging revealed the culprit to be a large epidural fluid collection extending from the epidural space to the superficial subcutaneous fat, suggestive of a cerebrospinal fluid leak. The patient was managed with admission, bed rest, isotonic intravenous fluids, caffeine, and therapeutic dosing of low molecular weight heparin. In such cases, clinical suspicion and early recognition and management are of paramount importance to prevent devastating consequences. Management, whether conservatively or with surgical intervention, should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Post-operative segmental cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: risk factors, clinical implications, and therapeutic considerations

Cerebral venous sinus thromboses (CVSTs) are rare complications of neurosurgical interventions and their management remains controversial as most of cases appear clinically silent. Here, we analyzed our institutional series of patients with CVSTs evaluating clinical and neuroradiological characteristics, risk factors, and outcome. From the analysis of our institutional PACS, we collected a total of 59 patients showing postoperative CVSTs after supratentorial or infratentorial craniotomies. For every patient, we collected demographics and relevant clinical and laboratory data. Details on thrombosis trend were retrieved and compared along the serial radiological assessment. A supratentorial craniotomy was performed in 57.6% of cases, an infratentorial in 37.3%, while the remaining were a single cases of trans-sphenoidal and neck surgery (1.7%, respectively). A sinus infiltration was present in almost a quarter of patients, and in 52.5% of cases the thrombosed sinus was exposed during the craniotomy. Radiological signs of CVST were evident in 32.2% of patients, but only 8.5% of them developed a hemorrhagic infarct. CVST-related symptoms were complained by 13 patients (22%), but these were minor symptoms in about 90%, and only 10% experienced hemiparesis or impaired consciousness. The majority of patients (78%) remained completely asymptomatic along the follow-up. Risk factors for symptoms occurrence were interruption of preoperative anticoagulants, infratentorial sinuses involvement and evidence of vasogenic edema and venous infarction. Overall, a good outcome defined mRS 0-2 was observed in about 88% of patients at follow-up. CVST is a complication of surgical approaches in proximity of dural venous sinuses. CVST usually does not show progression and courses uneventfully in the vast majority of cases. The systematic use of post-operative anticoagulants seems to not significantly influence its clinical and radiological outcome.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following post-neurosurgical intracranial hypotension: A case report and systematic review of the literature

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) following brain surgery is a feared complication, commonly described after direct injury to the sinus. However, distant CVST occurring away from the operative area are unexpected. Yet, there is a strong physio-pathological rational supporting the role of intracranial hypotension as a risk factor of CVST. Here, we report the case of a frontal arachnoid cyst depletion followed by an extensive contralateral CVST. Given the major prognostic consequences observed in this clinical illustration, we further investigated the hypothesis of intracranial hypotension as an etiology of CVST by carrying out a systematic review of the literature.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Adults with Prothrombotic Conditions: A Systematic Review and a Case from Our Institution

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare condition characterized by elevated intracranial pressure due to impaired cerebral venous drainage, potentially leading to life-threatening consequences. We searched the PubMed electronic database for ‘cerebral venous sinus thrombosis’ and ‘prothrombotic’ cases reported in adults (19+ years) and conducted a systematic review for the published literature in the English language pooled with a case from our institution. Data were analyzed regarding patient demographics, risk factors, clinical features, treatment modalities, and outcomes when available.

Thirty cases of CVST were identified (29 case reports, of whom two were described in a case series, and the one case from our institution). The patients’ mean age was 39 years (range: 19 - 65). The male: female ratio was 1.14:1. The majority (73.3%) had at least one preexisting risk factor, with prescription drug use being the most common risk factor (33.3%) shared among all patients. Most patients (83.3%) presented with at least two symptoms. The most common presenting symptoms were headache (70%), gastrointestinal disturbance (50%), and seizures (40%). Focal deficits (36.7%), vision disturbances (30%), and altered consciousness (20%) were the remaining presenting complaints. Twelve cases (40%) commented on papilledema, with 10 (83.3%) having papilledema present. Anticoagulation abnormalities were examined in 26 cases (86.7%), out of which four cases (15.4%) had isolated protein S (PS) deficiency, three cases (11.5%) had isolated antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency, and one case (3.8%) had isolated protein C (PC) deficiency. The most common initial imaging modality (22 cases, 73.3%), and most commonly used overall (23 cases, 76.7%), was computed tomography (CT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was the second most common imaging modality for initial use (five cases, 16.7%), diagnosis or confirmation of CVST (eight cases, 26.7%), and overall (21 cases, 70%). Heparin treatment was involved in the treatment of 18 cases (60%), and warfarin treatment was used in 10 cases (33.3%). Heparin-warfarin combination treatment was utilized in eight cases (26.7%). Most patients survived (28 cases, 93.3%), while the two remaining patients died secondary to brain death from the CVST (6.7%).

The findings from this study highlight the clinical characteristics of CVST. Therefore, this study aims to increase awareness of this rare entity. Physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in order to diagnose patients presenting in the proper clinical context, given this case shares various forms of presentations with other common clinical conditions but requires long-term anticoagulation.

Intracranial Hypotension-associated Cerebral Swelling following Cranioplasty: Report of Two Cases

Cranioplasty is a comparatively simple neurosurgical procedure, and fatal complications are rare. This report describes two cases of critical brain swelling after otherwise uneventful cranioplasty. Both cases had subarachnoid hemorrhage and extremely similar clinical courses. They underwent decompressive craniotomy and clipping in the acute phase and had cranioplasty in the chronic phase, resulting in serious cerebral swelling and death. Deep venous sinus thrombosis was revealed in the autopsy for one case. Although no venous occlusion was identified in the other case, radiological findings suggested venous congestion. In both cases, intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage was massive and was prolonged by a drain; therefore, we hypothesized that intracranial hypotension (IH) caused stagnation of venous flow. Neurosurgeons should be aware that fatal venous congestion induced by IH may occur after cranioplasty. To avoid this, tight dural closure should be obtained, and avoidance of the use of subcutaneous drains should be considered.

Clinical Aspects of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Experiences in Two Institutions

Objective

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare condition for which few clinical reviews have been conducted in Korea. Our aim was to investigate, risk factors, clinical presentations/courses, and outcomes of 22 patients treated for CVT at two centers.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted, selecting 22 patients diagnosed with and treated for CVT at two patient care centers over a 10-year period (January 1, 2004 to August 31, 2015). Patient data, pathogenetic concerns (laboratory findings), risk factors, locations, symptoms, treatments, and clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Results

Mean patient age at diagnosis was 54.41 ± 16.19. Patients most often presented with headache (40%), followed by seizure (27%) and altered mental status (18%). Focal motor deficits (5%), visual symptoms (5%), and dysarthria (5%) were less common. Important predisposing factors in CVT included prothrombotic conditions (35%), infections (14%), hyperthyroidism (18%), trauma (14%), and malignancy (4%). By location, 9 patients (40%) experienced thrombosis of superior sagittal sinus predominantly, with involvement of transverse sinus in 20 (90%), sigmoid sinus in 12 (40%), and the deep venous system in 5 (23%). Treatment generally consisted of anticoagulants (63%) or antiplatelet (23%) drugs, but surgical decompression was considered if warranted (14%). Medical therapy in CVT yields good functional outcomes.

Conclusion

Mean age of patients with CVT in our study exceeded that reported in Europe or in America and had difference in risk factors. Functional outcomes are good with use of antithrombotic medication, whether or not hemorrhagic infarction is evident.

Cerebral venous thrombosis following spinal surgery in a patient with Factor V Leiden mutation

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a devastating event leading to high mortality and morbidity rates. We present a case of cerebral venous thrombosis that occurred following spinal surgery in a patient with Factor V Leiden mutation and G1691A heterozygosity. Possible prevention and treatment strategies have been discussed.

Clinical characteristics of cerebral venous thrombosis in a single center in Korea

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in a single center in Korea.

METHODS

A total of 36 patients were diagnosed with CVT from August 2005 to May 2013. The patient data regarding age, sex, disease stage, pathogenesis, location, laboratory findings, radiological findings, and treatment modalities were retrospectively collected. The results were compared with those of previous studies in other countries.

RESULTS

The patient group comprised 21 men and 15 women with a mean age of 46.9 years (ranging from three months to 77 years). The most common cause was a prothrombotic condition (8 patients, 22.2%). Within the patient group, 13 patients (36.1%) had a hemorrhagic infarction, whereas 23 (63.9%) had a venous infarction without hemorrhage. By location, the incidence of hemorrhagic infarction was the highest in the group with a transverse and/or sigmoid sinus thrombosis (n=9); however, the proportion of hemorrhagic infarction was higher in the cortical venous thrombosis group (75%) and the deep venous thrombosis group (100%). By pathogenesis, the incidence of hemorrhagic infarction was the highest in the prothrombotic group (n=6), which was statistically significant (p=0.016).

CONCLUSION

According to this study, CVT was more prevalent in men, and the peak age group comprised patients in the sixth decade. The most common cause was a prothrombotic condition. This finding was comparable with reports from Europe or America, in which CVT was more common in younger women. Hemorrhagic infarction was more common in the prothrombotic group (p=0.016) than in the non-prothrombotic group in this study.