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Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis due to hyperhomocysteinemia with cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) gene mutation: A
Insights
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in a young male was linked to a rare cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) gene mutation causing hyperhomocysteinemia. Early screening for homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 is recommended for thrombophilic states.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neurology
- Thrombosis
Background:
- Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) risk factors include acquired and genetic causes, making precise diagnosis challenging.
- Identifying specific genetic predispositions is crucial for effective patient management.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old male presented with severe headache, vomiting, and transient leg weakness, indicative of potential CVST.
- Diagnostic workup revealed CVST associated with hyperhomocysteinemia due to a cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) gene mutation.
Findings:
- The patient received persistent oral anticoagulant therapy, leading to symptom alleviation and improved MRV imaging over 1 year.
- A novel CBS gene mutation (c.949A>G) was identified as the underlying cause of severe hyperhomocysteinemia.
Implications:
- Routine screening for serum homocysteine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels is advised in patients with thrombophilic conditions.
- Consideration of congenital genetic disorders is essential when extremely high homocysteine levels are detected.
Rationale:
Risk factors of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) are usually divided into acquired risks (e.g., trauma and pregnancy) and genetic risks (inherited thrombophilia). It is essential but not easy to identify the exact one for each patient.
Patient Concerns:
A 14-year-old male patient was admitted in our hospital because of progressively exacerbated severe headache and vomiting for 3 days, accompanied by transient weakness once in his right leg.
Diagnosis:
CVST due to hyperhomocysteinemia with cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) gene mutation.
Interventions:
Persistent oral anticoagulant therapy.
Outcomes:
Follow-ups at 4 months and 1 year showed that the patient's symptoms alleviated and did not recur, accompanied with improved MRV image; however, the cranial MRV image did not display as a completely normal one.
Lessons:
We recommend that in case of thrombophilic state, serum homocysteine (Hcy), folic acid, and vitamin B12 levels should be routinely screened; when serum Hcy level is extremely high, congenital diseases caused by gene mutations should be considered. We firstly discovered a new mutation of CBS c.949A>G which had not been reported before.
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