Related Experiment Videos
Behcet's disease: presentation with sagittal sinus thrombosis diagnosed noninvasively
1Department of Neurology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22906, USA.
Headache
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, often termed "benign," can mask serious conditions like sagittal sinus thrombosis. This case highlights Behcet's disease as a rare cause, emphasizing advanced imaging for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Intracranial hypertension is frequently diagnosed as "benign" when no clear cause is found.
- Pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension) can present with symptoms like headache and vision blurring.
Observation:
- A 35-year-old woman with pseudotumor cerebri experienced worsening symptoms despite normal initial workup.
- Standard evaluations including lumbar punctures and CT scans were inconclusive.
Findings:
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) venography revealed sagittal sinus thrombosis, contradicting initial "benign" assessments.
- The patient's condition was linked to Behcet's disease, a rare systemic inflammatory disorder.
Implications:
- Cerebral venous thrombosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial hypertension.
- Behcet's disease is a rare but critical consideration for cerebral venous thrombosis.
- MR venography is crucial for diagnosing sinus thrombosis when other methods fail.