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Pseudotumor cerebri in a case of ulcerative colitis with sagittal sinus thrombosis

Ashrafi Mahmoud Reza1, Hosseini Firozeh, Alizadeh Houman

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Growth & Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran, Iran.

Iranian Journal of Pediatrics
|April 4, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can rarely cause Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis (CSVT). Early diagnosis and treatment of CSVT in Ulcerative Colitis (UC) patients presenting with severe headaches are crucial.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Thromboembolic events are a recognized complication of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly during disease flares.
  • While deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are more common, Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis (CSVT) is a rare but serious manifestation.

Observation:

  • A case report details an 11-year-old male with a 3-month history of Ulcerative Colitis (UC).
  • The patient presented with symptoms mimicking pseudotumor cerebri, diagnosed as superior sagittal sinus thrombosis during an acute UC exacerbation.

Findings:

  • The superior sagittal sinus thrombosis was successfully treated with anticoagulation therapy, initially with heparin and subsequently with warfarin.
  • This case highlights a rare presentation of UC exacerbation.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider CSVT in patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) who experience acute, severe headaches.
  • Prompt neuroimaging, including MRI and MRV, is recommended for timely diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment to prevent severe neurological outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
Cerebral ThrombosisInflammatory Bowel DiseasePseudotumor CerebriUlcerative Colitis

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