Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Eyes Open to Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

What is Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis?

CVST is a rare form of stroke.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) occurs when a blood clot forms in the veins in the brain also called “venous sinuses”. The clot prevents blood from draining out of the brain causing pressure and damage to blood vessels and the surrounding brain. This can result in a brain hemorrhage.

CVST can occur in adults and children, including newborns and even babies in the womb. A stroke can damage the brain. It is serious and needs immediate medical attention.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of CVST can include:

  • Extreme headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Loss of control over body movement or change in sensation
  • Inability to speak or slurred speech and makes blood more coagulated
  • Coma

If you are experiencing signs and/or symptoms of a CVST, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions or concerns.

CVST is a rare form of stroke.

Each year, about 1 in 200 000 people will be diagnosed with a CVST. The risk for this kind of stroke in newborns is greatest during the first month. Overall, about three out of 300,000 children and teens up to age 18 will have a stroke.

According to a Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, ‘annualized pediatric stroke incidence rates, including both neonatal and later childhood stroke and both ischemic and hemorrhagic, range from 3 to 25 per 100,000 children in developed countries. Newborns have the highest risk ratio: 1 in 4,000 live births.’

Risk Factors

Children and adults have different risk factors for CVST.

  • Pregnancy and the first few weeks after delivery
  • Thrombophilias, such as: antiphospholipid syndrome, protein C and S deficiency, antithrombin deficiency, prothrombin 20210 or factor V Leiden
  • Cancer
  • Obesity
  • Estrogen-based medicine such as the combined oral contraceptive pill or tablet hormone replacement therapy
  • Inflammatory diseases such as lupus, inflammatory blood vessel diseases such as vasculitis, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Very rarely: COVID-19 adenovirus vaccines Astra- Zeneca or Johnson & Johnson

  • Problems with the way their blood forms clots
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Chronic hemolytic anemia
  • Beta-thalassemia major
  • Heart disease (congenital or acquired)
  • Iron deficiency
  • Certain infections
  • Dehydration
  • Head injury

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Treatment

There are several options for CVST treatment. Learn the latest.

Recovery

You are not alone in the recovery process. Learn about resources available to support you in your recovery.