Timely Diagnosis, Tx of Traumatic CVST Is Vitally Important

Background: Spontaneous cerebral venous sinus thromboses (CVSTs) are occasionally seen, usually associated with hypercoagulable states. Patients with CVST may present with symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) with resultant headaches, altered mental status, and seizures; treatment usually involves anticoagulation. With traumatic brain injury (TBI) becoming more common and advanced neuroimaging becoming more routinely used, particularly after certain skull fractures, traumatic CVST is more commonly seen; however, the implications, natural history, and treatments of traumatic CVST have not been extensively studied. Symptoms and signs of traumatic CVST, such as headache, vomiting, and seizures, may be similar to those seen with the primary brain injury itself, underscoring the likely need for an accurate and timely diagnosis. Objective: To review the incidence, risks, management, and clinical outcomes of traumatic CVST. Design: Single-center, retrospective descriptive study more...