Pulmonary embolus from acute superior sagittal sinus thrombosis secondary to skull fracture: case report

Thrombus in Transit: A Potentially Life-threatening Complication of Cerebral Sinus Thrombosis

We report the case of a 41-year-old, 7-weeks-pregnant patient, presenting with headache and generalized seizure due to cerebral venous thrombosis complicated by jugular thrombosis and thrombus dislocation into right cardiac cavities. The patient was treated with intravenous heparin, and underwent embolectomy in extracorporeal circulation. This case illustrates the variability of cerebral venous thrombosis progression and a potentially life-threatening condition even during anticoagulant therapy.

Cerebral Venous Air Embolism due to a Hidden Skull Fracture Secondary to Head Trauma

Cerebral venous air embolism is sometimes caused by head trauma. One of the paths of air entry is considered a skull fracture. We report a case of cerebral venous air embolism following head trauma. The patient was a 55-year-old man who fell and hit his head. A head computed tomography (CT) scan showed the air in the superior sagittal sinus; however, no skull fractures were detected. Follow-up CT revealed a fracture line in the right temporal bone. Cerebral venous air embolism following head trauma might have occult skull fractures even if CT could not show the skull fractures.

The etiologies of new cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis reported in the past year

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an uncommon but life-threatening stroke subtype with extremely diverse clinical features, predisposing factors, brain imaging findings, and outcomes. Its predominant etiologies were known to be otomastoid, orbit, and central face cutaneous infections, pregnancy and complications associated with the postpartum period, and oral contraceptives. In recent years, however, infections have accounted for fewer cases while oral contraceptives, pregnancy and complications associated with the postpartum period, tumors, and coagulopathies have accounted for more cases of CVST. These conditions have become the predominant risk factors for CVST, but uncommon etiologies have also emerged. This review focuses on the new etiologies of CVST cases reported this year to broaden perspectives on the etiologies of CVST.