Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in a Patient With Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms: A Case Report and Literature Review

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) remains a challenge to diagnose due to its rarity and nonspecific symptomatology. We have found alcohol withdrawal can display symptoms similar to CVST. We present a unique case of intraparenchymal hemorrhage secondary to an extensive CVST in a patient presenting with symptoms suggestive of alcohol withdrawal.

A 33-year-old woman with a history of alcohol dependence presented with a worsening headache and right upper dental pain. She denied any trauma and attributed the headache to alcohol withdrawal. She denied consuming alcohol in the last 24 hours but reported a daily intake of 20 oz of whiskey. Physical examination noted dental caries and a normal neurological examination. Laboratory values indicated leukocytosis with neutrophilia and microcytic anemia. Computed tomography brain without contrast was conducted to rule out head trauma, revealing a 1.2 cm intraparenchymal hemorrhage in the left frontal lobe with local edema. Neurosurgery recommended a computed tomography angiography, which demonstrated contrast filling defects consistent with CVST (confirmed by magnetic resonance venography). The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit; during her hospital course, further testing revealed heterozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation and elevated homocysteine levels. Patient underwent acute treatment with enoxaparin bridged to apixaban. Patient was discharged on day 7 neurologically intact with the improvement of all symptoms.

This unique presentation of CVST alongside alcohol withdrawal symptoms highlights the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of CVST in higher-risk patient populations. A heightened index of suspicion for the wide range of presentations of CVST is necessary to assess, diagnose, and treat at-risk patients.