Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

This type of stroke differs from an arterial blockage. Symptoms may develop gradually or abruptly, and young age or an inconclusive initial brain scan does not rule it out.

Related reading: Guillain–Barré syndrome and other causes of neurological weakness.

Features include an unusual new or persistent headache, blurred vision, vomiting, seizures, limb weakness or altered consciousness. Headache may precede other neurological signs.

A clot in cerebral veins or venous sinuses obstructs drainage, increasing pressure and sometimes causing swelling or bleeding. Clotting disorders, inflammation and pregnancy-related changes contribute in some cases.

Risk factors include pregnancy and postpartum changes, certain hormones, clotting disorders, cancer and head or neck infections. Children and adults can be affected; a risk factor does not make thrombosis inevitable.

CT or MR venography is usually needed, alongside neurological assessment and targeted cause investigation. An ordinary CT scan or single blood test cannot reliably exclude disease when suspicion persists.

Hospital treatment uses individually selected anticoagulation and management of seizures, pressure and triggers. Specialists may anticoagulate despite bleeding caused by venous thrombosis after assessment; this is not self-treatment.

Brain injury, visual or movement impairment, seizures and raised intracranial pressure may occur. Many people improve with early treatment, while some need rehabilitation and continuing follow-up.

After an episode, review clotting risks, hormonal medicines, pregnancy planning and recurrence prevention with the care team. Do not start preventive blood thinners independently or assume extra water prevents clots.