What Is Cerebral Venous Thrombosis?
When a blood clot formation oocurs in the venous sinuses of the brain, it is known as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). Because of this, blood cannot drain out of the brain, and blood cells may rupture, leaking blood into the brain tissues and causing a hemorrhage.
What Causes Cerebral Venous Thrombosis?
Cerebral venous thrombosis is a very uncommon type of stroke. Every year, it affects roughly five people out of every million. In neonates, the risk of this type of stroke is highest during the first month.
A variety of factors can cause clot in the brain. Adults, children, and infants have different risk factors, and women are more affected than men by this condition.
The following are some of the risk factors for children and newborns:
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Sickle cell disease.
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Beta-thalassemia major.
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Inherited or developed heart disease.
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Iron deficiency.
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Infections that affect the ear, face, or neck are the most common.
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Dehydration.
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Injuries to the head.
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Issues with blood clotting.
Adults are at risk because of the following factors:
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The first few weeks following the delivery and during pregnancy.
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Antiphospholipid syndrome, antithrombin III deficiency and S deficiency, protein C lupus anticoagulant, or factor V Leiden mutation are all examples of blood clotting problems.
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Cancer.
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Lupus, Wegener's granulomatosis, and Behcet syndrome are all collagen vascular disorders.
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Obesity.
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Intracranial hypotension in which there is a drop in blood pressure in the brain.
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Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis are examples of inflammatory bowel disease.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis?
A clot in a cerebral vein can induce pressure in the brain, resulting in edema. This pressure can result in migraines and damage to brain tissue in the worst-case scenario.
The symptoms differ depending on the location of the blood clot in the brain. However, the following are some of the more common CVT symptoms:
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Terrible throbbing headaches.
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Vision problems with the blurring of eyesight.
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Nausea and vomiting.
If you experience a more severe form of cerebral venous thrombosis, you may get stroke-like symptoms. These can include the following:
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Slurred speech.
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Numbness and weakness on one side of the body.
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Decreased vigilance of the patient.
Other signs and symptoms of severe CVT are:
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Seizures.
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Limited motion in parts of the body.
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Fainting.
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Coma.
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Death.
How Is Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Diagnosed?
People who have suffered any form of stroke do best if they receive therapy as soon as possible. If one thinks that they are having a stroke, have someone transport them to the emergency room right away or phone a medical professional for assistance.
Typically, doctors will obtain a medical history and do a physical examination. Especially if the individual who had the stroke is unconscious, family and friends can recount the symptoms they saw. On the other hand, the ultimate diagnosis is frequently determined based on how blood flows through the brain. Areas of blood flow are seen in imaging studies. These tests can help a patient and their medical professionals figure out if they have venous sinus thrombosis:
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)- To check for bleeding or clot.
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Computerized Tomography (CT) scans- Can also help detect the clot.
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Venography- It is a type of X-ray that employs a contrast material injection to show how blood flows through your veins. It is possible that the doctor may use it to look for blood clots.
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Angiography- This is an X-ray procedure that examines blood arteries. Because blood vessels are difficult to see on a standard X-ray, a special dye must be injected into your blood beforehand. This draws attention to your blood vessels, making it easier for your doctor to spot any abnormalities.
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Ultrasound.
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Blood test.
What Is the Treatment for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis?
Treatment options for CVT are determined by the severity of the illness. The primary therapy goals are to prevent or dissolve blood clots in the brain.
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Medication
Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, may be prescribed by doctors to assist in preventing blood clotting and the spread of the clot. Heparin, which is injected directly into veins or beneath the skin, is usually the most recommended medicine.
Once the doctor determines that the patient is stable, they may prescribe an oral blood thinner such as Warfarin on a regular basis. If the patient has a recognized blood clotting condition, this can help them avoid repeated blood clots.
Doctors will treat the symptoms of CVT in addition to preventing blood clots. If the patient had a seizure as a result of this illness, the doctor would prescribe anti-seizure medicine to assist them in managing the situation. Similarly, if the patient gets stroke-like symptoms, they will be admitted to a stroke or intensive care unit (ICU).
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Observation
Doctors will monitor brain activity in all cases of CVT. In order to check thrombosis and ensure there are no new clots, follow-up venograms and imaging studies are recommended. Follow-ups are also necessary to ensure that cerebral venous thrombosis does not lead to clotting disorders, malignancies, or other consequences. Additional blood tests will most likely be ordered to discover whether the patient has any clotting abnormalities that may have raised their risk of CVT.
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Surgical Intervention
Doctors may propose surgery to remove the blood clot or thrombi and to repair the blood vessel in more severe cases of cerebral venous thrombosis. Thrombectomy is the medical term for this treatment. Doctors may use a balloon or other device to keep blood arteries from shutting during some thrombectomy operations.
Conclusion:
A CVST affects about 80% of people, and almost all of them recover completely. However, depending on the severity of the stroke, returning to normal would take weeks or even months. The patient may experience persistent symptoms such as headaches or seizures. To keep track of their progress, they will need to see their doctor on a regular basis. Ask the doctor if any of the prescription medications could increase the risk of a blood clot. If the patient is unsure where to begin, talk to a medical professional about what lifestyle choices are best for them.
