Transverse sinus thrombosis: an unusual cause of headache

A 24-year-old woman presented with headache of 6 days' duration, described as throbbing pain in the right periorbital region radiating to her right ear and neck. The pain was unresponsive to oral analgesics. She had no speech or hearing difficulties, no previous history of migraines, and no family history of neurologic disease. Her medications included oral contraceptives for 8 months' duration. This report describes the salient features of dural sinus thrombosis and recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The relationship between oral contraceptives and protein S levels is also discussed. Cerebral dural sinus thrombosis should be considered in the differential of new onset of headaches, seizures, or focal neurological deficits.