Cerebral venous thrombosis in Kuwait. Clinical presentation, risk factors, and management

To explore the pattern of clinical presentations, risk factors, and the sinuses involved in cases of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) treated in a tertiary neurological center in Kuwait.

A retrospective analysis of cases of CVT treated at Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait, from January 2000 to October 2010. The records of 71 patients were retrieved and entered in a database. All patients were evaluated with hypercoagulable work up and relevant neuro-imaging studies.

Seventy-one patients were included in our study, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.5. The clinical presentations were: headache (93%), seizures (31%), and focal neurological signs (37%). Over two-thirds (n=30) of female patients had a history of oral contraceptive use. Papilledema with raised intracranial pressure was recorded in 20 patients (28%), ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome with CVT in one patient, and possible Neuro-Behcet`s in 10% (n=7). The venous sinuses involved were superior sagittal sinus in 59% (n=42), and transverse and straight sinuses in 54% (n=38). Hemorrhagic venous infarctions were seen in 18% (n=13). Fifty percent of patients recovered within 2-4 weeks, 15 patients (21%) recovered within 4-12 weeks, and 15 patients (21%) required intensive care unit care with ventilator support for 1-2 weeks.

Oral contraceptive use was the primary risk factor in female patients. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment with anticoagulants reduce the morbidity and mortality. Serum D-dimer level is more helpful for early diagnosis with sensitivity of 58%.