Thalamic Lesions Caused by Deep Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Retrospective Study

Thalamic lesion due to deep cerebral venous thrombosis (DCVT) is an uncommon cause of stroke. Until now, only a few case reports have been published. The aim of the study is to report the clinical and radiological findings of thalamic lesion with DCVT.

We reviewed our computerized stroke database of patients from October 1998 through December 2012; the diagnosis of thalamic lesion and DCVT was made in 5 patients who had done brain MRI and magnetic resonance venography.

Five patients had thalamic lesion and DCVT with ages ranging from 27 to 79 years (mean age, 47 years). Chronic and insidious headache was the most common initial clinical symptom. Neuropsychological abnormalities were present in 4 patients. All patients had a decreased level of consciousness. Four patients did well, with no (n = 1) or mild (n = 3) disability on the modified Rankin Scale at a 6-month follow-up examination.

Thalamic lesion can be caused by DCVT with neuropsychological and radiological features that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial artery occlusion or bleeding, especially in young patients. In this small group, most patients survived with few or mild defects.